INTERVIEW: ELVIRA DILBEROVIĆ, FBIH MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE
Interviewed by: Ajsela ZAHIROVIĆ
SARAJEVO, April 27 (ONASA) – Minister of Education and Science of the FBiH Elvira Dilberović in the interview for the ONASA Agency talks, among other things, about the situation in the field of education and science in the FBiH, key activities and projects on which the Ministry will work in the future, a way to resolve the problem of segregation and discrimination in education …
ONASA: Are you satisfied with the situation in the field of education and science in the FBiH?
DILBEROVIĆ: Given that we are the society in the transition, crisis of almost all kinds that have befallen us have not bypassed neither the education or science, thus the necessary preconditions for their more powerful and better development have not been ensured.
Together we need to change the current approach, because these are the development and driving forces of our society and as such deserve a lot more attention and a lot more investment.
The only way to better solutions in education and science is cooperation and joint action of all stakeholders in the education system.
I am aware of all problems in the field of education and science in the FBiH, but also ready to resolve them with my team, in order to make the necessary positive steps to create better conditions of education, research and scientific work and studying.
Knowledge is not only one of the factors of development, but is also the development itself, and investment in education is repaid manifold.
ONASA: What are key activities and projects on which will the Ministry work in the future?
DILBEROVIĆ: Ministry plays an important role in coordinating and exercising of rights in the field of education and science, which we plan to make even more visible with the future planned activities.
My predecessors have already made some progress in all aspects of education reform, and we will continue to work with the aim of implementation of reform activities at all levels of education.
There are, of course, priorities, and, before all, we are dedicated to improving the inclusiveness in education, in order to secure the right to equality, education and a life free of discrimination and vilification.
The priority is certainly and referring to the further procedure the Law on Principles of Adult Education, which was approved by the House of Representatives, and the next is the parliamentary procedure in the House of Peoples.
That is, indeed, necessary in order to align education and labor market, and as the support for adults who for various reasons did not obtain education. Basically, the FBiH Ministry of Education and Science will this year, in the framework of various programs, support projects in the fields of education and science in the total amount of close to eight million BAM. These funds will be used for (co)funding of programs and projects in the field of preschool, primary, high school, higher education and student standards, as well as in the science field of importance to the FBiH.
This year we will start and a new program through which we will support the equipping of libraries in primary schools in the FBiH and the purchase of necessary reading books.
ONASA: Is the legislation in this field in line with the legislation of the European Union (EU)?
DILBEROVIĆ: Regarding the framework laws in the field of education, from preschool to higher education, we can say that a good level of compliance with the European and international standards has been achieved.
Further processes will certainly require of us additional efforts to fully implement the EU acquis in these areas. FBiH Ministry of Education and Science will, in accordance with its role, continue to follow the implementation of framework laws, and provide necessary support.
I am sure the relevant education authorities are aware of the importance of these obligations and will intensify their efforts to comply their own with the framework laws.
ONASA: How to solve the problem of segregation and discrimination in education?
DILBEROVIĆ: One of the priorities of the FBiH Ministry of Education and Science is to help the competent authorities in the elimination of “two schools under one roof”, by means of concrete measures and activities. This is included in our Recommendations to Eliminate Segregated and Divided Structures in Educational Institutions in the FBiH, the document developed in 2012.
We are committed to resolving segregation and discrimination in education, with full respect for the constitutional competencies in education, which in the FBiH is at the cantonal level.
In this regard, I am aware of the obstacles, given the role which the FBiH Ministry of Education and Science has, but the educational institutions will, I am sure, aware of the phenomenon of “two schools under one roof”, show a willingness to cooperate in order to provide all citizens equal conditions for education with raising the awareness that we need to live with each other, not next to each other.
Good educational policy is the common goal both for the FBiH Ministry of Education and Science and cantonal ministries. We simply have to be aware that we all professionally and morally respond to citizens for our actions.
Cantonal ministers who have such opinion, are motivated in achieving the common good, and they will naturally cooperate with us, and we will always try to provide all available, professional and financial support.
ONASA: Is it possible to align curriculum at the level of whole FBiH?
DILBEROVIĆ: As I am aware, the evaluation of the curricula of the first triad has already been completed and public discussions on the Framework curriculum for nine-year primary school in the FBiH have been conducted.
All this was done, precisely, to examine the effects of the concept of nine-year education, and in order to find the most appropriate methods for modernizing, unburdening and standardization of the curriculum in the FBiH, given their unequal implementation at the cantonal level.
Changing curricula is a complex and time-consuming task, and with finalizing of these activities, for the first time in the FBiH, should be published a comprehensive and holistic Framework curriculum for nine-year primary school, which will contribute to better quality and more equitable education system in the FBiH, based on modern principles of learning.
Also, harmonization of curricula will significantly contribute to the more rational system of textbook policy and more efficient movement of students.
ONASA: Based on what criteria are evaluated and approved textbooks?
DILBEROVIĆ: The former practice, that is, provisions according to which were reviewed, evaluated, and approved textbooks, resulted in quite methodologically unsound textbooks, content that does not encourage expressing of one’s creativity, nor their understanding of “the other”, “different”, national minorities, marginalized groups …
It is clear that curricula are the starting base for a textbook content, therefore, curricula should be reformed first and then textbooks conception.
Revision of textbooks, the textbook policy in the FBiH in general, requires the work of experts from various fields.
Thus, it needs to be done by a team of professionals, educators, psychologists, teachers, sociologists …
In our society experts are constantly bypassed, unfortunately, the price paid for that is too high. (end)