OSCE : ETHNICALLY SEPARATED SCHOOLS ARE DISGRACE FOR BOSNIA

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (September 11,2007) – Schools divided on the ethnic basis are an unlucky aspect of educational praxis in Bosnia. The “two schools under one roof” concept is a dramatic aspect of the division and a disgrace for the country. This was stated by Mersiha Causevic – Podzic, OSCE Mission to Bosnia Spokesperson.

”Divided schools paint a picture of cultural splits in Bosnia, in the worst possible way. The way the pupils are educated is a threat to the long-term stability of the country”, she said.

OSCE Mission is concerned about the fact that some parents keep insisting that their children attend schools only with the members of their people and with the fact that they keep insisting their children be educated in their own mother tongue and culture. In that way, they do damage to their children and the Bosnian state.

”If the country’s youth knows nothing about the other peoples living with them, if they know nothing about the common history, identity and heritage, we see no ways and possibilities of this country’s progress”, OSCE Mission warned.