EDUCATION
April,
2003
(Hysni
Recica)
Rexhep Osmani: I am happy that for the first
time we are beginning the school-year 2002/2003, with the Kosovo Institutions
of Self Government constituted, and with the Ministry of Education in
place.
That was only a few months ago - obviously happy to head the
first ministry to take over responsibilities from internationals, Osmani
promised wide-ranging reforms, higher salaries for teachers, and teacher
training workshops. But these issues still remain the main challenges for the
ministry.
Certainly, one year is a short time for meaningful changes,
especially in education, a crucial pillar in any society, but it is sufficient
enough to start.
“Elena Gjika” elementary school in Prishtina –
described as one of the most promising developments in the education
sector. Greta Kacinari, director of the
primary school has had 25 years experience in education. She is not happy with
the place it is given in the list of government’s priorities.
Greta Kacinari: our government should think
seriously what measures it is going to take as to prioritizing education. It
should be in a higher position than it is. If education goes down, we will have
another decade of being far behind the countries that pay better attention to
education.
VOXPOP:
UNMIK on Air: What is the best school in Kosova?
Pupils: - It goes without saying; Elena
Gjika, like always.
UNMIK on Air: Why do you think you are the best?
Pupils: we like knowledge, organize
activities…
Everything seems hunky dory at the school – happy pupils;
decorated walls, neat halls and classrooms, there are even some colorful fish
swimming in an aquarium.
But teachers, though trying their best to carry out their
noble mission, are at the edge of their patience. For a decade until the war
broke they never stopped teaching, most of the time without getting paid at all.
At the very least, they expect recognition, if not a
real stimulus packages for their commitment, and not comments reportedly from
some government officials calling education peanuts…
Mire Gashi: Those who call education a
trifle, I do not know, whether they live diseased or live in the real world. If
they are sick, let them find the best medicines because the diagnosis is
complicated, but if they live in the real world, I have no answer, it is a
tragedy.
Miradije Hamiti: Teachers used to be more motivated
in the past though working under occupation, and often without salaries. At
least the society appreciated our work.
Nysrete Krasniqi: Didn’t those government officials
go through schools? Who educated them? Maybe, they got educated by themselves!
No, it was the teachers who did the work; therefore the teachers’ work should
be more appreciated.
Kadire Demolli: Everything has an end, including
our patience. We will try to go as far as we can, but I am afraid we will not
manage to go that far.
Shpresa Citaku: Our Ministry not only did not
fulfill what they promised, but they ignored the education sector completely.
They speak about reforms, which will not be successful without improving
significantly the material situation of teachers.
Miradije gave everything for the school during her 36
years of experience; she was even put in jail.
Miradije Hamiti: In 1992/93, they did not allow
Albanian kids to learn in the premises of the school; parents organized a
protest, the then director closed the doors not allowing parents to get in. At
one moment, when one of the Serb teachers got out, I took the opportunity and
opened the doors of the school, and we broke in. They called the police, I was
arrested and sent to prison. I was sentenced to 60 days.
Last October, the Teachers’ Union organized a two-week
strike, and they managed to snatch a 44 Euro rise after 4 months. Union secretary, Zenel Zeka says now they
are back at the point when they started the strike…
Zenel Zeka: A teacher cannot give his best if
he is not stimulated, or when during all the time he is forced to think of
feeding his family, or when he is obliged to do some second job after teaching.
The average teacher’s salary of around 130 euros, adds Zeka,
is barely one third of the money needed to survive, especially, as is the case
generally, the teacher is also the head of the family.
Zenel Zeka We have calculated only necessary
things like food, hygiene, paying of municipal services; electricity, telephone
etc, but we haven’t even thought of other things; we concluded that a teacher
cannot get married, get engaged, cannot even die, cannot have a car, cannot
smoke, or enter a bar.
BACK/ANNO: A dog’s
life in short – Kosovo’s long suffering teachers deserve better.
That does it for this edition of UNMIK ON AIR. Thanks for
listening.