Students take on education reforms in BiH
The challenge
Students were challenged to come up with ways to implement education reform in their schools. More than 250 student groups submitted entries, and on 23 April 2003 the ten winning schools were honoured for their initiative and creativity.
Surrounded by colourful posters displaying the students' visions for a better education, the OSCE Head of Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Robert M. Beecroft, greeted the crowd. "The OSCE School Competition gave students a voice," said Ambassador Beecroft. "We called the contest 'A Competition for You', because it gave you - the students - the chance to tell the entire country how you would change your schools if you had the chance. This contest proves the value of listening to the ideas of young minds."
Fighting discrimination
The winning entries focused on a wide range of initiatives to reform education. For example, Primary School Silvije Strahimir Kranjcevic from Sarajevo is organising Romani classes - not just for Roma children, but for anyone who is interested in learning the language. This project helps promote the inclusion of all students in schools, and helps to fight discrimination against Roma children by improving understanding.
Many of the other winning projects focused on increasing student and parent involvement in schools - a key aspect of the Education Reform Strategy. The students presented their ideas in a variety of ways: posters, presentation papers and videos.
One group even wrote a school song that promotes a better education for all students.
A jury of 18 teachers, education experts, school directors and NGO activists selected the winning projects. The famous children's programme actor, Mladen Jelicic, better known as Troko, was on the jury, and he delighted the crowd.
"Based on what I see here, I must say that this country has amazingly intelligent students," Jelicic said, rallying the crowd. "This group represents the best of the best, and we must continue to let them express themselves."
Spreading the word
It's obvious the students were committed to the project. Some of the young people had to travel for hours just to attend the award ceremony. 14 year-old Zelda Ramic from Primary School Harmani II in Bihac woke up early on the morning of the contest, and endured a five-hour bus ride to present her group's winning project to the crowd. She said it was a small price to pay.
Zelda's travelling days are just beginning. She and her group will be visiting other schools around BiH to share their award-winning project. Their ideas include encouraging schools to teach a national group of subjects, which include language and literature, history, geography, nature and society and religious instruction.
The future
The OSCE will assist the winning schools implement the projects they devised. But as Ambassador Beecroft pointed out, it will be up to the students to make sure their visions become reality.
"The Student Competition reaffirms a central OSCE belief. Education Reform depends on the people of BiH," Ambassador Beecroft said. "The students' enthusiasm and creativity prove there is a strong will for change. And it will one day fall to these young people to set the course for education in this country."