OSCE Mission to Skopje launches education decentralization project

SKOPJE, 1 June 2006 - The OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje today launched a brochure that features information about decentralization in education. The 20-page publication is part of a project that aims to help municipalities deal with their responsibility for education, which was transferred to them from national authorities in July 2005.

The project is a joint effort by the Education and Science Ministry, the Association of Units of Local Self-Governance and the OSCE Mission. It also includes regional meetings where decentralization in education will be discussed.

"This project will increase awareness and knowledge of the decentralization process in education," said Ambassador Carlos Pais, the Head of the OSCE Mission. "In the regional meetings, municipality councillors, mayors, school directors, teachers, parents and students can discuss how to face the challenge of implementation."

Tale Geramitchioski, Deputy Minister of Education and Science, said: "This project will educate stakeholders about their rights and responsibilities. It will also empower them to participate in the decision-making process at all levels and help them strengthen partnerships and inter-ethnic dialogue."

The brochure is available in five local languages: Macedonian, Albanian, Serbian, Turkish and Roma.