UNMIK/PR/1533
A primary school for Kosovo Serb students in Lipjan/Lipljan, partly financed by UNMIK, was officially inaugurated today.
Speaking on behalf of Special Representative of UN Secretary General (SRSG) Søren Jessen-Petersen, Anil Vasisht, Acting Director of UNMIK Department of Civil Administration, in the presence of Agim Veliu, Minister of Education, Science and Technology, noted that the school “provides tangible evidence that minority and majority communities can live and work together in Kosovo. Rather than having their children attend classes in private homes, Serb parents now send their children to a proper school with appropriate teaching materials and equipment.”
The school was completed in December 2005 and the pupils began attending classes after the Christmas Break on 24 January 2006. About 60 pupils attend the school in grades 1 to 8 and 15 children in pre-primary school.
“The commitment of the people of Lipjan/Lipljan is manifested in the co-operative efforts leading to the building of this school and serves as an example that other Municipalities with minority communities can follow,” - Mr. Vasisht said. “Access to education is every parent’s dream for their children and I am proud to be here to witness the realization of this dream. I am also proud that UNMIK played a part in making the school a reality.”
Lipjan/Lipljan Municipality set aside the land for the school in July 2003. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, provided 150,000 Euros to start the construction. SRSG Søren Jessen-Petersen authorized the use of 142,000 Euros from UNMIK’s Contingency Fund to finalize the construction. The Municipality provided further assistance by completing the fence and schoolyard and the OSCE has installed the equipment.
