PRISTINA – An independent commission set up in Kosovo to review the curriculum in Serbian schools has found that textbooks are filled with hatred and false facts about Albanians. The news was made public by Radio Free Europe.
Texts that encourage interethnic conflict
Textbooks that contradict the Constitution of Kosovo, that speak one-sidedly about the history of the Balkans and do not promote peace and tolerance, these are some of the findings of the Independent Commission for the Review of Curriculum in Serbian Schools in Kosovo. The Ministry of Education will take this report as a basis for harmonizing textbooks with the Constitution and the Ahtisaari Plan.
They are citizens of Kosovo, but they learn about Kosovo as ‘part of Serbia’; they learn the Serbian anthem, but not the Kosovar anthem; they learn about Albanians as having committed ‘genocide’ against Serbs, but they do not learn about the ’99 conflict; they learn poems and songs that contain hate speech.
These findings, which contradict not only the reality on the ground, but also the Constitution of Kosovo, according to the Independent Commission for the Review of the Curriculum in Serbian Schools, are taught to Serbian students from the first grade until the end of high school.
“The biggest problem with education in the Serbian community in Kosovo is related to history textbooks. There is no sign of the history of the Albanian people in these textbooks. History books for all grades of primary school are contrary to the principles of ethnic and religious equality, as well as tolerance.”
“History books are full of texts that portray Serbs and Albanians as the executioner and the victim, which directly encourage interethnic conflict,” said Radivoje Mančić, chairman of the independent commission.
He stressed that these history books state that Albanians committed ‘genocide’ against the Serbian people, doing so with the aim of expelling Serbs from Kosovo. Albanians are described as looters of churches, while in the only place where Illyrians are mentioned, they are called ‘predators’.
“This commission does not support these. We have recommended that these texts be set aside until new ones are written. The commission considers that new books should be written, where all cultures and communities would be adequately presented, in the spirit of peace, coexistence and the European future of the Balkans,” Mančić stressed at a press conference organized by the Ministry of Education.
The recommendations of the Independent Commission for the Review of the Curriculum in Serbian Schools will serve as a basis for the Ministry of Education to create a curriculum for Serbian students.However, until this curriculum is drafted, the ministry has decided to distribute additional guidelines for Serbian schools, so that students are taught the reality. Minister of Education, Enver Hoxhaj, said:“
For the textbooks, teaching aids and books used in Serbian-language schools in Kosovo, the MEST should draft additional materials for subjects related to civic education, providing material that explains the political system and the Constitution of Kosovo.”
“Secondly, it should provide Serbian schools with maps of the Republic of Kosovo. It is envisaged that there will be some changes in the Serbian language and literature program. It is also envisaged that the anthem of the Republic of Kosovo will be offered in the music subject for all students who are part of Serbian-language schools in Kosovo . “The head of the International Civilian Office, Peter Feith, under whose supervision the independent Commission was formed, also gave his assessment of the report.
“They have drafted a report that shows positive steps forward. A practical way to ensure that every child in Kosovo can understand their rights to receive education in their own language. The curriculum in the Serbian language, which is part of the unique Kosovo education system, will promote the interest and development of the Serbian community in Kosovo”.
“I must add that this report supports the obligations arising from the Constitution and the Ahtisaari Plan that require the development of a full curriculum in the Serbian language in accordance with the Constitution of Kosovo”, said Feith.
In the 2010/11 school year, the Ministry of Education plans to distribute additional materials, but cannot do more to harmonize textbooks with the Constitution of Kosovo or the Ahtisaari Plan.However, Enver Hoxhaj, assessed that the Commission’s report will help overcome the division and fragmentation in the Kosovo education system.In Serbian schools in Kosovo, Serbian educational programs are taught. Teachers in these schools receive salaries from both Pristina and Belgrade.
Sources
(m.a/BalkanWeb)
https://www.evropaelire.org/a/2172936.html
