OSCE Mission to Skopje presents findings on influence of education system on interethnic relations

SKOPJE, 4 February 2010 -A study by the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje on the impact of the education system on interethnic relations was presented in Skopje today.

The study was carried out among 4,000 students from 40 secondary schools countrywide in 2009 and includes a case study on two high schools in Struga. It focused primarily on the role of schools in shaping perceptions and the development of awareness of other ethnic groups, of positive and negative feelings towards other ethnic groups, as well as on teachers' comments about other ethnic communities and students' views of the causes of tensions among ethnic groups in schools.

"This snapshot of students' opinions from all communities provides unique insight into perceptions and attitudes, and can be an important tool for further development of policies for all actors in the education sector," said the Head of OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, Ambassador Jose Luis Herrero.

Among other findings, the study indicated that awareness of other ethnic groups sets in at the age of six, while positive or negative feelings begin to develop at the age of ten. Forty percent of the students said they were influenced by their teachers' opinions, and almost half indicated that their teachers had made ethnic comments. One-third believed that their school did not do enough to create positive inter-ethnic relations. However, more than 80 per cent of students expressed an interest in participating in extra-curricular activities with students from other ethnic groups.

Education Minister Nikola Todorov added: "The study conducted by the OSCE should be seen as a prism, through which we should determine where we stand in the way of integration of education, and in the integration of the society in general."