OSCE supports government in promoting integrated education in multi-ethnic environment

SKOPJE, 8 October 2009 - A policy paper with proposed measures for an integrated education system reflecting the country's multi-ethnic environment, prepared with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM), was presented in Skopje today. 

The paper, which focuses on such areas as school governance, joint activities and language training, was prepared by the HCNM and the Ministry of Education and Science in close co-operation with the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje and USAID.

"We need to act today to transform the education system to avoid troubles in the future. I trust the policy paper will provide the guidelines to make this possible," said the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Knut Vollebaek, at an event presenting the paper. "I am very encouraged by the government's strong commitment to address this issue."

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski welcomed the policy paper, saying: "The government believes that it is of utmost interest to society to prevent any kind of parallel structures in the education process which in the long run would present an obstacle to the co-existence of all citizens and which fail to correspond to the country's multiethnic character."

Philip Reeker, the U.S. Ambassador to the country, added: "I strongly believe that the country will reach its true potential when it recognizes the wealth it has in its diverse people and rich history. We are taking an important step towards that goal today and I am honoured to be a part of this process."

The proposed policy measures aim at improving the situation of education in several areas. These include democratic school governance in a decentralized environment, the issues of joint curricular and extra-curricular activities, language acquisition, teacher training and textbooks.

It is envisioned that the government will adopt this policy paper and implement its activities in close co-operation with the donor community. Bringing children of different ethnic backgrounds closer together will contribute to the long term internal cohesion of the society.