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International organizations welcome adoption of law on education in Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO 19 June 2003
SARAJEVO, 19 June 2003 - The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Council of Europe and the Office of the High Representative (OHR) welcome the adoption of the state-level Framework Law on Primary and Secondary Education by the House of Peoples and urge the Parliamentary Assembly to take immediate steps to harmonize the versions adopted by the House of Representatives and the House of Peoples.
"Adoption and implementation of this Framework Law will show that Bosnia and Herzegovina is serious about education reform", said Ambassador Henry Zipper de Fabiani, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission. "The law establishes the human rights and education principles that apply to all students across the country and is essential in order to put in place a foundation that supports further reform and modernization efforts".
"It is a welcome fact that this law was drafted by citizens of Bosnian and Herzegovina, but it is just the first step in assuring a quality education for our children", said OHR Senior Deputy High Representative, Ambassador Gerhard Enver Schrömbgens.
Dr. Sonja Moser-Starrach, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, congratulated the House of Peoples on their unwavering commitment towards education reform and on the maturity of the Parliamentary process.
"This is an important step taken by the country towards the fulfillment of Council of Europe commitments in education", she said. "This positive momentum must be maintained in order to ensure that the Parliamentary Assembly takes immediate actions to harmonize the two versions so that the law comes into force by the end of June."
The state-level Framework Law on Primary and Secondary Education, which was developed with the support of the Council of Europe, will ensure greater mobility for all students across Bosnia and Herzegovina and will facilitate wider recognition of school certificates.
It will also allow for greater school autonomy and increased parent and teacher involvement and partnerships. In addition, it will put in place a Common Core Curriculum, clearly outlined as a priority in the Education Reform Pledges of Bosnia and Herzegovina, adopted by the Peace Implementation Council in November 2002, and which will make possible full and free access to schools anywhere in the country.
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 of lower level legislation so that Entity and Cantonal level laws consistent with these principles may be put into place as soon as possible.
"Adoption and implementation of this Framework Law will show that Bosnia and Herzegovina is serious about education reform", said Ambassador Henry Zipper de Fabiani, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission. "The law establishes the human rights and education principles that apply to all students across the country and is essential in order to put in place a foundation that supports further reform and modernization efforts".
"It is a welcome fact that this law was drafted by citizens of Bosnian and Herzegovina, but it is just the first step in assuring a quality education for our children", said OHR Senior Deputy High Representative, Ambassador Gerhard Enver Schrömbgens.
Dr. Sonja Moser-Starrach, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, congratulated the House of Peoples on their unwavering commitment towards education reform and on the maturity of the Parliamentary process.
"This is an important step taken by the country towards the fulfillment of Council of Europe commitments in education", she said. "This positive momentum must be maintained in order to ensure that the Parliamentary Assembly takes immediate actions to harmonize the two versions so that the law comes into force by the end of June."
The state-level Framework Law on Primary and Secondary Education, which was developed with the support of the Council of Europe, will ensure greater mobility for all students across Bosnia and Herzegovina and will facilitate wider recognition of school certificates.
It will also allow for greater school autonomy and increased parent and teacher involvement and partnerships. In addition, it will put in place a Common Core Curriculum, clearly outlined as a priority in the Education Reform Pledges of Bosnia and Herzegovina, adopted by the Peace Implementation Council in November 2002, and which will make possible full and free access to schools anywhere in the country.
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 of lower level legislation so that Entity and Cantonal level laws consistent with these principles may be put into place as soon as possible.