UNMIK/PR/1588
PRISTINA – UNMIK welcomes the decision by the Minister of Education, Science and Technology (MEST), Agim Veliu, aimed at resolving a disagreement over providing education to the Gorani community of Dragash/Dragaš.
UNMIK supports the sensitive approach taken by the minister in addressing teacher employment issues that had kept three schools from starting the 2006/2007 school year on time. This flexible solution will help the Gorani community to become fully integrated into the Kosovo system in a gradual way, while taking into account their repeatedly voiced wish to use Serbian as the main language of instruction.
The decision by Minister Veliu obliges all Bosnian-Gorani teachers to sign contracts with the Municipal Education Directorate for this school year, which should be used to prepare the introduction of curricula and textbooks according to the education reform in Kosovo. For the school year 2007/2008, implementation of the Kosovo curriculum will be compulsory in all schools.
“This decision ensures that Gorani children will not be left without access to education and that the schools in Dragash/Dragaš municipality can continue to operate within the regular education process,” said Patricia Waring, Director of UNMIK’s Department of Civil Administration.
“We support the ministry’s decision to continue to pay special attention to the educational needs of the Gorani community. We encourage all Gorani parents to send their children to school, to take advantage of the opportunities available to them. We also call on all teachers to cooperate with the implementation of this initiative for the good of the youth in their community,” Ms. Waring added.