The Declaration

The Declaration of a Student Conference Regarding Educational Reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina

                On the 10^th of February 2010 a conference was held in the United World College in Mostar with students from ten different schools, representing a diversity of ethnic groups, view points, and opinions.  The diversity provided a rich source of perceptions and views among the student representatives on the topic  of educational reform.  The assembly expressed frustration with the current state of affairs.  We are aware of the complexity of the current situation, and we acknowledge the difficulties of bringing about change.  But it is necessary to bring about change now.  There are both internal and external factors driving the imperative for change.  Certain common themes emerged and priorities could be identified for potential reform. The following recommendations are made as a result of the discussion between the participants and represent these common concerns.

                Our recommendations are made under six headings which represent our major concerns.  The collaboration of recommendations concern curriculum issues, pedagogy, resources, personal and social development, school and community relationships, and continuing school opportunities. 

These recommendations are based on a holistic approach to the educational system.  There needs to be a centralized ministry of education to create efficiency and effectiveness.  Each student needs to have equal opportunity and access to education – this can only be achieved if there is one system, equipped with sufficient resources, and maintaining a high level of professional teaching. 

 Curriculum Issues (Teaching and Learning)

Within the curriculum students said that the main problems are the number of subjects, the schedule, and the subject material.  The current curriculum requires students to take more than ten subjects, and up to fifteen or sixteen.  It is impossible for students to focus and engage in this amount of subjects in a timely manner.  The range of subjects on one hand does give students broader knowledge, but restricts the depth of education.  Secondly, lengthy school days also detract from the efficiency and effectiveness of classes.  A combination of less, but longer classes, but an altogether shorter schedule per day would allow students to profit and gain more from their education.   

Education should be multi-dimensional, and utilize a range of teaching styles, methods, and materials.  Students expressed frustration with boredom in classes, because they simply copy notes from the board and do not interact or discuss the material that they are learning.

The second major concern, while discussing the integration of schools, is the practical aspect of respecting the three national languages Bosnian, Serbian, and Croatian.  Students suggested several solutions.  In the first model students would attend all classes together, except for their primary language.  The main question is, which language would textbooks be written in?  Brcko District serves as one example – they choose textbooks, disregarding language, based on the quality of the information.  A second suggestion is to print the same textbook in the three different languages, so that students could all study together simultaneously in their own languages. 

Offering religious and ethical studies is a comprehensive part of education, but it should not be compulsory.  Also, a range of religions and moral philosophies should be explored.  If students wish to pursue personal religious studies this can be done through a religious institution or other means of education, other than the public school system.  Exposure to other religions and cultures will allow students to develop a broader world-view and greater perception of their surroundings.

Pedagogy (Teachers)

Teachers have a huge responsibility, to educate and guide their students as they grow and mature.  It is not solely to inform students about a particular subject, but also to challenge students to become informed, respectful, and conscious citizens.  Although, their first responsibility is to educate students and challenge students to learn themselves.  Teachers have the time and ability to influence student’s way of thinking and learning, and their life maturation. We believe they are one of the most important components of every education system.

A good teacher is responsible and respected, they should enjoy teaching and interacting with students.  They should be qualified to teach their subject, and challenge their students.  Student evaluations should be used to evaluate teacher performance to improve the system.  Teachers are needed, yet receive one of the lowest salaries – which can only discourage them to do their job the best way possible. Teachers have a lot of power and they are forming the next generations. Education is in their hands; therefore they should be well prepared and focused. Teacher improvement seminars should be compulsory. Teacher should identify problematic issues such as politics and treat it with caution yet allow students express their different opinions.

Resources

A lack of funding, and inefficient spending detracts from the education system.  It is essential to provide quality resources like textbooks, laboratory equipment, IT labs and training, and basic school supplies.  Due to instable curriculums students said that textbooks were changed frequently – which leads to a waste of monetary resources as well as paper.  Students proposed the formation of a single national system of education to provide the structure necessary to equip all students and schools with proper resources to facilitate learning. 

Personal and Social Development - Personal Development as part of Education

We identified four common goals concerning education, which unite students.  Firstly, students attend school to be prepared for further education or work.  Secondly, they want to develop personally, become more mature, and contribute to society.  Thirdly, they want to form relationships with other students, and interact.  Finally, they want to form and maintain individual and group identities.  The creation of a unified system of education would augment these goals.

Right now, many students do not feel that they are sufficiently prepared to attend university, or begin working.  It is essential to create a system of secondary education that meets these needs.  The formation of relationships would broaden by bringing together students from all ethnicities to study together.  Lastly, identities would not be damaged or weakened by integrating the education system – instead the converse would occur, by recognizing and accepting differences, people would be able to explore and solidify their identities.                       

School and Communities -Relationships with formal education system with the community

                We defined community as local, regional, national, and international.  Within local communities schools act as a center point and place for the community to gather and interact.  They can organize events for the community, and bring together families because the students are interacting.  Communication among parents, teachers, and students encourages cooperation and understanding within a community.  Regionally and nationally schools act as a common ground, something which all people within society experience.  Therefore, a divided education system will only cause further division within society, and prevent the formation of links towards cooperation.

 Continuing education -Post school – Universities, Employment

                The purpose of education is to prepare students for their futures, whether it is to continue higher education into university, to pursue a career or job, or to simply be part of society it is necessary to develop a strong base of knowledge and skills.  Many students said that they do not feel prepared for the future and are not satisfied with the opportunities available to them. 

The first suggestion that was strongly supported was fostering the development of internships, or work experiences between students and local businesses.  Giving high school students the opportunity to practice skills that they learn in school and to sample different types of work helps them to feel more confident and make decisions about what they want to do in the future.

The second suggestion that the students proposed and agreed upon was that there needs to be a national system of requirements or testing to graduate from high school.  This was discussed in further depth in a conference in Banja Luka at the same time.  The students agreed that it would be easier to pursue further education internationally if they received a respected diploma.                

All the students here today commit to be a part of and support this change.  You can rely on the students to be a fundamental base, motivated to make this change occur.  It is necessary for authorities to take responsibility to make the changes outlined above.  Representatives are elected to listen to the citizens that they represent.  This declaration is what these students representing many different backgrounds want for the betterment of their education.  

In conclusion, this society is seeking to move forward, and a holistic approach to education is the means to develop the young citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.  These students, as representatives, stated that they want change to be made and that they are willing to work together to make it happen.  We as a group are committed to partnering and sharing in a continuing commitment to change, and the students want to take this conversation further.  We acknowledge the difficulties of reforming the education system and making these changes, but it is necessary to start this change now.   

We, the students of this conference, are united in our commitment to work with authorities to bring about such change and educational reform for the betterment of this nation, these peoples, and the students of future generations.