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OSCE, CoE welcome new draft law on education in Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO 16 April 2003
SARAJEVO, 16 April 2003 - The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the Council of Europe today welcomed the adoption of the draft State Framework Law on Primary and General Secondary Education by the Council of Ministers.
"This Framework Law establishes the human rights and education principles that apply to all students across the territory of BiH," said Ambassador Robert M. Beecroft, Head of the OSCE Mission. "It is essential in order to put in place a foundation that supports further reform and modernization efforts, and we urge the BiH Parliament to prioritize its adoption under an urgent procedure as recommended by the Council of Ministers."
Dr. Sonja Moser-Starrach, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, congratulated the Council of Ministers on the adoption of the draft law on primary and secondary education and underlined the necessity of its adoption by the Parliament as quickly as possible in order for the law to be implemented by September 2003.
"This is an important step taken by BiH towards the fulfilment of the Council of Europe commitments in education, but it is only the first step - the political momentum needs to be maintained to adopt the law in Parliament in the coming weeks," she said.
The draft State Framework Law on Primary and General Secondary Education will ensure greater mobility for all students across BiH and facilitate wider recognition of school certificates. It will allow for greater school autonomy and increased parent and teacher involvement and partnerships.
It will also put in place a Common Core Curriculum, clearly outlined as a priority in the Education Reform Pledges of BiH, which were adopted by the Peace Implementation Council in November 2002, and which will make possible full and free access to schools anywhere in BiH. Entity and cantonal laws consistent with these principles will follow and are expected to set out greater detail for management and delivery of education. The Council of Europe will provide expertise to assist in the drafting process.
"This Framework Law establishes the human rights and education principles that apply to all students across the territory of BiH," said Ambassador Robert M. Beecroft, Head of the OSCE Mission. "It is essential in order to put in place a foundation that supports further reform and modernization efforts, and we urge the BiH Parliament to prioritize its adoption under an urgent procedure as recommended by the Council of Ministers."
Dr. Sonja Moser-Starrach, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, congratulated the Council of Ministers on the adoption of the draft law on primary and secondary education and underlined the necessity of its adoption by the Parliament as quickly as possible in order for the law to be implemented by September 2003.
"This is an important step taken by BiH towards the fulfilment of the Council of Europe commitments in education, but it is only the first step - the political momentum needs to be maintained to adopt the law in Parliament in the coming weeks," she said.
The draft State Framework Law on Primary and General Secondary Education will ensure greater mobility for all students across BiH and facilitate wider recognition of school certificates. It will allow for greater school autonomy and increased parent and teacher involvement and partnerships.
It will also put in place a Common Core Curriculum, clearly outlined as a priority in the Education Reform Pledges of BiH, which were adopted by the Peace Implementation Council in November 2002, and which will make possible full and free access to schools anywhere in BiH. Entity and cantonal laws consistent with these principles will follow and are expected to set out greater detail for management and delivery of education. The Council of Europe will provide expertise to assist in the drafting process.