Educational Reform Conference in BiH - By Students for Students

           On the 10^th of February 2010, our school hosted a student conference about Education Reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  Eighty students from ten different schools gathered to discuss the necessity of change in the current system.  Forty students from outside UWC came to share their opinions, experiences, and concrete suggestions.  The students came to the conclusion that change is mandatory – now.  A declaration was written to assert the student voices.   The initial idea to host the conference in Bosnia and Herzegovina was incepted at a social issues conference in Kosovo in December.  We conducted a research project polling local students about their satisfaction with the current system based on a diversity of educational backgrounds.  At the conference we presented our research and heard many other presentations and conclusions.  There was significant interest in our investigation, but we did not think that there was enough time provided for further discussion, evaluation, analysis, and the proposal of tangible solutions. 

                The recommendations outlined in the declaration are made under six headings which represent the 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.

Two distinguished guests presented and facilitated the writing of the declaration.  We were honored by the presence of Professor Jeff Thompson and Doctor Mary Hayden from the University of Bath in the UK.  At the beginning, they briefly presented their own research study about the impact of the United World College in Mostar on integration in the local community and student mentalities.  Then several students shared personal reflections on their experiences, and an article written in 2004 by the OSCE.  We presented our research from Kosovo, and asked a lot of questions to begin the discussion sessions.  Students were divided into smaller moderator groups in order to enable dialogue.  Each group was led by two moderators, one international and one local.  Moderators noted important points, which became the basis of the areas of recommendation in the declaration.       

         Concerning the logistics of the conference, students were split into discussion groups which were led by facilitators, and notes of the discussions were kept.  A brief outline of questions to direct the conversations was constructed, but it was created as an open environment for students to talk about a very relevant topic, without feeling pressure based on ethnicity, or identity.

The central questions we felt were:

What do we want as students?  

Are you satisfied with the current system?

                                With the teaching, books, subjects?

            Do you feel that your school is giving you an adequate education for your future?                   

What’s stopping you from getting what you want?  What’s wrong?

How can you fix this?

What does integration mean to you?

                Each person will have an individual understanding of integration.  By discussing the definition of the word it will avoid conflicts based on different definitions.

What will people gain through integration?

What are people afraid of losing through integration? (emphasize that it is a common fear)

                Are these fears justified?

UWCiM is an example that you will not lose your identity by integrated education – students actually claim that they feel more confident in their identity by explaining it and understanding it from an outside perspective. 

Why hasn’t integration happened yet? Lack of political / common will.  

“Education should not be political, it should be a neutral learning atmosphere, creating critical, mature individuals.”

How will having an integrated system facilitate fulfilling wants and needs?

We were pleased with the results of the conference, but it is only the beginning of a long process.  We are firm in our belief that students need to be united in their commitment to work with authorities to bring about educational reform for the betterment of this nation, these peoples, and the students of future generations.  It is the responsibility of students, both local and international to continue to push for change, and demand excellent education.

We would like to sincerely thank the United World College in Mostar, our headmaster Paul Regan, our teacher coordinator Ljubica Bajo, Professor Jeff Thompson and Doctor Mary Hayden, the student moderators, Meri Musa for coordinating press coverage, and all the participants that made this event possible.

     We encourage all students to continue to “be the change that you wish to see in the world.”  Mahatma Gandhi