Navigating Educational Challenges in Tunisia: A Roadmap for Reform

Written by Veronica Grazzi

 

Tunisia gained independence from French colonial rule in 1956, marking the beginning of its modern era. Since then, the country has undergone significant social, economic, and political transformations. The pursuit of quality education has long been intertwined with the nation’s journey toward modernization and development. One of the key priorities of the Tunisian government has been the advancement of education to foster national development and social progress.

 

The education system in Tunisia is based on the principles of accessibility, inclusivity, and quality. Education is free and compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 16, with efforts made to ensure equal access for both genders. Over the years, Tunisia has made notable strides in expanding educational opportunities, achieving nearly universal enrollment rates for primary education.

 

However, in 2021, a region-wide poll found that 77% of respondents were dissatisfied with education; Tunisia’s education system faces several challenges. These include disparities in educational quality between urban and rural areas, high dropout rates at the secondary and tertiary levels, inadequate infrastructure and resources, as well as a need for curriculum reform to align with the demands of a rapidly changing global economy.

 

Furthermore, Tunisia’s education sector has been impacted by broader socio-economic and political factors. The country has experienced periods of political instability and social unrest, which have at times disrupted educational activities and hindered progress in education reform initiatives.

 

However, Tunisia also possesses significant potential for overcoming these challenges. The country boasts a young and dynamic population, with a growing emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship. Initiatives aimed at modernizing the education system, enhancing teacher training, and promoting digital literacy are underway, reflecting Tunisia’s commitment to addressing its educational challenges and unlocking opportunities for its youth.

 

The geographical concentration of educational institutions in Greater Tunis and along the Tunisian coast: unequal access to education

One of the foremost challenges confronting Tunisia’s education system is the unequal access to educational opportunities, particularly among marginalized communities and rural areas. According to a report by UNICEF, a significant number of children in Tunisia remain out of school, with disparities in enrollment rates prevalent across different regions of the country. While urban centers like Tunis boast relatively higher enrollment rates, rural areas such as Kairouan face several challenges in ensuring equitable access to education. The lack of adequate infrastructure, including schools and transportation facilities exacerbates the problem, contributing to a widening educational gap between urban and rural populations.

The concentration of educational institutions in Greater Tunis and along the Tunisian coast poses a significant obstacle to the advancement and improvement of Tunisia’s education system. This unequal distribution of schools and universities impedes efforts to modernize education and enhance its quality, perpetuating inequalities by withholding necessary resources from other regions. Moreover, it imposes additional financial burdens on students for transportation and accommodation. To alleviate these challenges, one approach could involve establishing educational facilities within or near students’ localities to reduce costs and foster local development. This strategy could also help mitigate migration to major cities. For instance, while medical schools in Monastir and Sousse are geographically proximate, regions in central, northwestern, and southern Tunisia lack similar institutions.

Furthermore, socio-economic factors intersect with geographical disparities, further exacerbating the inequities in access to education. Children from low-income families often encounter barriers such as prohibitive school fees, inadequate resources for learning

 

materials, and the necessity to contribute to household income, thereby impeding their ability to pursue education. This disparity not only perpetuates social stratification but also undermines Tunisia’s efforts towards achieving inclusive and sustainable development.

 

Infrastructure deficiencies in numerous educational institutions, particularly in rural areas:

Additionally, many educational establishments, particularly those situated in rural regions, face infrastructure shortcomings. These schools need significant assistance to improve their infrastructure, especially in terms of health, sports, and cultural amenities. The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDS) for example is advocating for government action to tackle educational inequalities, specifically focusing on inadequate school infrastructure in the west-central regions of Tunisia.

In a recent report titled “Consequences of Lack of Environmental Justice and Impact of Climate Change on Other Rights,” issued by FTDS’s Environmental and Climate Justice Unit on April 18, concerns were raised about the deficiencies in essential amenities like clean water and sanitation facilities in many schools in these areas. The report underscores the severe implications of these shortcomings on students’ health, overall well-being, and academic performance.

Significant deficiency in educational resources: Quality of Education

Beyond the issue of access, the quality of education in Tunisia poses a significant challenge, characterized by shortcomings in curriculum, teaching methodologies, and learning outcomes. The World Bank highlights the need for comprehensive educational reforms to address the underlying deficiencies that hinder the delivery of quality education. While Tunisia has made considerable progress in expanding educational opportunities, there remains a pressing need to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of its education system in preparing students for the demands of the 21st-century economy.

A key aspect of improving the quality of education lies in revamping the curriculum to align with the evolving needs of society and the job market. Arab Barometer emphasizes the importance of integrating critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and digital literacy into the curriculum to equip students with the competencies required for success in a knowledge-driven economy. Furthermore, investing in teacher training and professional development is essential to empower educators with the pedagogical skills and tools necessary to engage students effectively and foster a culture of lifelong learning. Another urgent concern is the insufficient distribution of educational resources, illustrated by low enrollment rates in regions such as Kairouan. Concerned parents have expressed dissatisfaction through protests due to the dearth of educational infrastructure, particularly evident in Kairouan where there is a severe shortage of teachers, resulting in numerous unfilled positions.

 

In public schools, class sizes often swell to between 30 and 40 students, significantly detracting from the effectiveness and caliber of instruction. This situation not only undermines the implementation of essential pedagogical methods tailored for skills-based teaching but also limits opportunities for hands-on learning experiences, as previously highlighted.

Achieving high-quality education necessitates smaller class sizes and the provision of adequate educational resources and technology. Consequently, students attending private schools enjoy greater prospects for skill development compared to their counterparts in public schools. Consequently, while education remains free, the focus on skill development suffers, eroding the state’s capacity in critical sectors. This imbalance pushes many to seek enrollment in private institutions in pursuit of a “quality” education.

 

Governance and Policy Reform

The governance and management of the education sector in Tunisia present another critical challenge that calls for attention. The Campaign for Education underscores the need for robust monitoring and assessment mechanisms to track progress, identify bottlenecks, and inform evidence-based decision-making. Transparent and accountable governance structures are essential for ensuring the efficient allocation of resources, fostering innovation, and promoting stakeholder engagement in the education sector.

Moreover, policy coherence and coordination across different government agencies are imperative to address systemic issues and implement holistic solutions. The Tunisian Educational Reform report emphasizes the importance of adopting a multi-dimensional approach that encompasses not only quantitative expansion but also qualitative improvement in education. By fostering partnerships with civil society organizations, international donors, and other stakeholders, Tunisia can leverage collective expertise and resources to drive sustainable change in its education system.

 

The need of a joint action

In conclusion, navigating the educational challenges in Tunisia requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including government authorities, educators, civil society organizations, and the international community. By prioritizing equitable access, enhancing the quality of education, and fostering effective governance and policy reform, Tunisia should guarantee that every child has the opportunity to fully enjoy the universal right to education.

UN Special Rapporteur on the right to education, Koumbou Boly Barry, well highlighted the way forward to the key challenges in Tunisia in a statement at the end of a fact-finding visit to the country: “Tunisia’s democratic transition requires the development of education law based on the fundamental values of its society, with proper funding.”

She also emphasized that sufficient and decentralized financial resources were necessary to achieve the right to education. She also suggested the establishment of forums to deliberate on the most effective implementation of this right, aiming to foster social cohesion nationwide.

She further suggested that these dialogue platforms should be present across all levels of society. Stakeholders were urged to participate in collaborative management and genuine cooperation to cultivate trust between decision-makers and the educational community.

Featured image by Tunisia, Marcel Crozet 2020 via Flickr

 

References

· Middle East Institute. “Education in Tunisia: Current Challenges and Opportunities.” Last modified March 16, 2023. https://www.mei.edu/events/education-tunisia-current-challenges-and-opportunities.

· UNICEF. Tunisia Country Report on Out-of-School Children: Summary. New York: UNICEF, 2019. https://www.unicef.org/mena/media/6661/file/Tunisia%20Country%20Report%20on%20OOSC%20Summary_EN.pdf%20.pdf.

· UNICEF. “Tunisia: Keeping Tunisia’s Most Vulnerable Children on the Path to Education.” Last modified December 12, 2020. https://www.unicef.org/mena/stories/unicef-tunisia-keeping-tunisias-most-vulnerable-children-path-education.

· UNHCR. “Education – UNHCR Tunisia.” Accessed September 5, 2024. https://www.unhcr.org.

· AEHN. “The Colonial Legacy of Education: Evidence from Tunisia.” African Economic History Network, 2022. https://www.aehnetwork.org.

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· World Bank. “Shortcomings in Tunisian Education: What Went Wrong?” World Bank Blogs, last modified June 14, 2018. https://blogs.worldbank.org/arabvoices/shortcomings-tunisian-education.

· Arab Barometer. “Education in Tunisia: Past Progress, Present Decline and Future Challenges.” Last modified March 23, 2021. https://www.arabbarometer.org/2021/03/education-in-tunisia-past-progress-present-decline-and-future-challenges/.

· Campaign for Education. Tunisian Report. Global Campaign for Education, 2023. https://campaignforeducation.org.

· Statista. “Education in Tunisia: Statistics & Facts.” Last modified September 2022. https://www.statista.com.

· Mahfoudh, Hédi. The Tunisian Educational Reform: From Quantity to Quality and the Need for Monitoring and Assessment. ResearchGate, 2020. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341199765_The_Tunisian_Educational_Reform_From_Quantity_to_Quality_and_the_Need_for_Monitoring_and_Assessment.

· World Bank. Tunisia – Higher Education: Challenges and Opportunities. Washington, DC: World Bank, 2023. https://www.worldbank.org.

· Global Partnership for Education. “Tunisia.” Last modified September 2022. https://www.globalpartnership.org/where-we-work/tunisia.

· ReliefWeb. “Tunisia: Country Report on Out-of-School Children: Summary (EN/AR).” Last modified May 2020. https://reliefweb.int/report/tunisia/tunisia-country-report-out-school-children-summary-enar?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiMmwBhDmARIsABeQ7xQsu1ug0Nk-iS6ShLLRBNln9IAYw8ymwhRczfa43w_SrT22NhE7cecaAkjhEALw_wcB.

· Flickr. “Kesra, Visit of Achievements.” Last modified February 25, 2016. https://www.flickr.com/photos/ilo/25112766145.

· Tunisia Education. “Education System of Tunisia: Primary, Secondary, Higher, Technical Ed.” Last modified March 2021. https://tunisiaeducation.info.

· European Commission. Country Fiche: Tunisia 2022. Brussels: European Commission, 2022. https://europa.eu.

· Daily News Egypt. “Tunisian Forum Calls for School Infrastructure Upgrades to Address Inequality.” Last modified April 26, 2024. https://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2024/04/26/tunisian-forum-calls-for-school-infrastructure-upgrades-to-address-inequalitypen_spark.

· OHCHR. “Tunisia Must Act Now to Ensure the Right to Education Is Met and Fully Funded, Says UN Expert.” Last modified April 18, 2019. https://www.ohchr.org/en/news/2019/04/tunisia-must-act-now-ensure-right-education-met-and-fully-funded-says-un-expert.

· Houloul. “Will Be Available Soon.” Last modifi

ed July 22, 2021. https://houloul.org/en/2021/07/22/will-be-available-soon-9/.

 

Vështirësitë a Arsimit në Kosovë

 

Perkthim i artikullit te shkruajtur nga Veronica Grazzi

E vendosur në qendër të Ballkanit, Kosova është kryesisht e njohur për ngjarjet e saj të turbullta historike dhe politike. Me 1.8 milion banorë, Kosova ka përjetuar shumë konflikte dhe shpallje pavarësie, duke përfshirë ndryshime në qeveri dhe kthesa në politikë. Pas ndarjes nga Serbia në vitin 2008, vendi përballet me shumë sfida në arsim, ku shumë pengesa parandalojnë krijimin e një sistemi të qëndrueshëm dhe përfshirës.

Për shkak të konfliktit, ndërhyrja ndërkombëtare dhe fondet pas-konflikt janë kanalizuar nëpërmjet vendit përmes Misionit Ndërkombëtar të Përkohshëm të OKB-së në Kosovë (UNMIK). Arsimi u perceptua si një nga mënyrat për të përmbajtur konfliktin midis serbëve dhe shqiptarëve të Kosovës, prandaj komuniteti ndërkombëtar zgjodhi një sistem arsimor të ndarë.

Sot, Kosova po përjeton reforma të rëndësishme në sistemin e saj të arsimit të lartë. Ky transformim përfshin krijimin dhe rritjen e institucioneve të arsimit të lartë, duke përfshirë nëntë universitete publike dhe njëzet e dy universitete private. Ndërsa janë bërë përmirësime të konsiderueshme, problemet e vazhdueshme vazhdojnë të pengojnë zhvillimin e një sistemi arsimor të fortë dhe gjithëpërfshirës.

Ndarja Etnike dhe Integrimi

Një komponent që zakonisht nuk mungon nga asnjë narrativë e historisë së një kombi është origjina ose themeli i tij.”

Konstruksioni Diskursiv i Identitetit Kombëtar, 2009

Ky citim përkufizon shumë mirë Kosovën; baza e diskursit aktual nacionalist në Serbi dhe Kosovë qëndron në interpretimet e ndryshme historike të zonës së kontestuar të Kosovës.

Shoqëria në Kosovë është e ndarë në baza etnike, dhe kjo është e dukshme gjithashtu në sistemin arsimor të Kosovës. Deri në vitin 1980, sistemi arsimor i Kosovës ishte një komponent i sistemit të vjetër jugosllav. Lufta e Kosovës në vitin 1999 la një antagonizëm të fortë midis komuniteteve shqiptare dhe serbe, duke penguar krijimin e një ambienti arsimor të integruar dhe harmonik.

Më konkretisht, për të shmangur përplasje të mëtejshme, nxënësit serbë të Kosovës mësojnë në shkolla që mbikëqyren nga qeveria serbe, ndërsa nxënësit shqiptarë të Kosovës dhe pakicat e tjera jo-serbe ndjekin institucione shtetërore të Republikës së Kosovës. Të dy grupet jo vetëm që ndjekin dy kurikula të ndryshme, por gjithashtu nuk ndërveprojnë ose komunikojnë me njëri-tjetrin. Kjo rezulton në një pengesë për bashkëpunimin mes brezave të rinj dhe, më në përgjithësi, për rindërtimin e një procesi të qëndrueshëm të bashkëjetesës paqësore.

Dëshmitë sugjerojnë se kurikulat aktuale në sistemet arsimore të Serbisë dhe Kosovës motivohen nga ideologji sociopolitike dhe nacionaliste që legjitimizojnë narrativën e viktimizimit të kontestuar. Të dy sistemet nuk i adresojnë objektivisht ngjarjet historike, paraqesin vetëm një anë të historisë dhe punojnë aktivisht për të promovuar një imazh pozitiv të grupit etnik përkatës.

Sidomos në universitete, ndarja ndjek vijat politike dhe bëhet më e fortë, me vizione të kundërta mbi politikat e ardhshme.

Arsimi Gjithëpërfshirës

Në Planin Strategjik të Arsimit të Kosovës 2021-2025, i promovuar nga Ministria e Arsimit, ofrimi i aksesit në arsim të barabartë dhe cilësor është jo vetëm një prioritet, por edhe një sfidë.

Kosova është një nga vendet e Ballkanit ku vajzat dhe djemtë nga mosha 0-6 vjeç kanë më pak mundësi për të ndjekur arsimin parashkollor. Sipas një hulumtimi të publikuar nga KOMF – një koalicion i 29 OJQ-ve të dedikuara për mbrojtjen e fëmijëve – vetëm 4.8 për qind e fëmijëve midis 0 dhe 4 vjeçare ndjekin çerdhe ose kopshte. Ky përqindje rritet në 90 për qind në grupmoshën 5-6 vjeçare.

Sipas UNMIK-ut, në vitin 2019, 38,000 fëmijë me aftësi të kufizuara nuk e ndjekin shkollën. Normat sociale janë hapi i parë në këtë proces, pasi ato kanë tendencën të stigmatizojnë individët me aftësi të kufizuara. Më pas, ndjekin barrierat strukturore si transporti i papërshtatshëm, klasat e paqasshme dhe mungesa e mbështetjes së specializuar. UNMIK raportoi të dhëna interesante në lidhje me shkaktarët sipas popullsisë së re; mentaliteti i shoqërisë (39%), mungesa e përfitimeve monetare (22%), mungesa e shërbimeve (14%) dhe mungesa e legjislacionit dhe politikave inkluzive (14%).

Në të gjitha nivelet arsimore, arsimi inkluziv në Kosovë përballet me shumë pengesa. Vendbanimet rurale kanë frekuentim të ulët në arsimimin parashkollor për shkak të perceptimit të distancës së udhëtimit dhe indiferencës. Në një analizë të promovuar nga portali Kosovo 2.0, u zbulua se shumica e kopshteve ndodhen në qytete dhe pak ndodhen në zona rurale. Kjo është gjithashtu pjesërisht e lidhur me mungesën e veprimeve koherente dhe të koordinuara ndërmjet autoriteteve qendrore dhe lokale. Nuk ka shërbime transporti publik për të çuar vajzat dhe djemtë në kopshtet më të afërta me vendbanimin e tyre.

Rritja e ndërgjegjësimit të prindërve, rritja e numrit të klasave parashkollore të ofruara dhe përmirësimi i shërbimeve të transportit janë disa mënyra që mund të përdoren për të rritur pjesëmarrjen. Edhe pse arsimi fillor (klasat 1–9) është i detyrueshëm, deri në 25% e studentëve braktisin shkollën. Distanca e udhëtimit, shqetësimet për sigurinë e vajzave dhe kufizimet buxhetore janë pengesa. Shkallët e regjistrimit për arsimin e mesëm janë më të ulëta në zonat rurale se në ato metropolitane, duke treguar një preferencë për gjimnazet mbi institucionet profesionale. Reforma e arsimit profesional është e domosdoshme, dhe financat e familjeve dhe distanca e udhëtimit kanë një rol në zgjedhjen e shkollës së mesme.

Me disa përjashtime të dukshme, si shkolla e suksesshme bujqësore në Lipjan, ekonomia rurale, e cila është ndikuar nga kolapsi industrial dhe konflikti i kaluar, ndikon në interesin për shkollat profesionale bujqësore. Ruajtja e interesit për programet e trajnimit praktik dhe përshtatja e ofertave edukative me kërkesat e ndryshueshme të ekonomisë rurale janë sfida të vazhdueshme.

Shkallë të Larte Braktisjeje dhe Papunësi

Shkalla e lartë e braktisjes është një problem në Kosovë, veçanërisht për arsimin e mesëm. Papunësia e rinisë është rezultat i vështirësive ekonomike dhe një mosmarrëveshjeje mes aftësive që mësohen në shkolla dhe atyre që kërkohen nga tregu i punës. Ky problem përkeqësohet nga mundësitë e dobëta për trajnim profesional, duke lënë shumë të rinj pa aftësitë e nevojshme për të gjetur punë. Problemet ekonomike të Kosovës, si shkallët e larta të papunësisë dhe një ekonomi në rënie, kanë një ndikim të drejtpërdrejtë në sistemin arsimor. Disponueshmëria e materialeve edukative, paga e mësuesve dhe cilësia e arsimit mund të preken nga mungesa e fondeve dhe burimeve.

Të rriturit në zonat rurale raportojnë se kanë akses më të kufizuar në arsim, ndërsa arsimi joformal është kryesisht i përqendruar në zonat urbane. Për të mbyllur hendekun arsimor që ekziston për të rriturit dhe të rinjtë që nuk janë në shkollë, janë të nevojshme programet e mësimit gjatë gjithë jetës, mbështetje nga qeveria, dhe angazhimi i sektorit privat në ndihmën e kapacitetit dhe promovimin e vetëpunësimit në zonat rurale. Financimi i vazhdueshëm nga OJQ-të është thelbësor për mbajtjen e iniciativave të ndihmës së kapacitetit në këto komunitete.

Shpenzimet Publike në Arsimin

Sipas një studimi të fundit të Kosovo 2.0, buxheti i shtetit për arsimin parashkollor nuk ka ndryshuar shumë në vitet e fundit. Ai u rrit nga 14 milionë euro në 2017 në 17 milionë euro në 2019, dhe më pas, në 2020, ra në 16 milionë euro. Në raportin e saj vjetor për Kosovën në 2020, Komisioni Evropian theksoi se mangësitë e sistemit arsimor të Kosovës – gjithashtu të evidentuara nga testet PISA – ishin gjithashtu të lidhura me përfshirjen e ulët të fëmijëve në arsimimin parashkollor.

Kërkesat e tregut të punës nuk po përmbushen mjaftueshëm nga sistemi arsimor. Krahasuar me vendet me të ardhura të mesme me demografi të ngjashme moshe, Kosova investon 4.7% të PBB-së në arsim; megjithatë, shuma e shpenzuar për arsimin fillor dhe të mesëm për student është relativisht e ulët. Kjo është kryesisht për shkak të raportit të lartë nxënës-mësues, i cili është dy herë më i lartë se mesatarja e BE-së, dhe kostos së lartë të pagave të mësuesve.

Shkallët e regjistrimit në shkollat fillore janë të larta, në 96%, dhe shkallët e regjistrimit në shkollat e mesme janë gjithashtu të larta, në 88.1%. Megjithatë, rezultatet e ulëta në PISA dhe shkallët relativisht të larta të papunësisë për të diplomuarit pas shkollës së mesme (19.2% në tremujorin e dytë të vitit 2018) tregojnë mangësi në cilësinë e arsimit. Në fazat e para të reformimit të sistemit të arsimit profesional, po shqyrtohet gjendja e shkollave të formimit profesional. Aktualisht, shpenzimet për kërkimin përbëjnë vetëm 0.1% të PBB-së. Pas inaugurimit të një Ministrie të Re të Inovacionit në vitin 2018, dy qendra rajonale të inovacionit morën një grant prej 1.1 milion eurosh për laboratore dhe pajisje të specializuara.

Veprime të Mundshme të Qeverisë

Disa përmirësime mund të vërehen në fushën e arsimit. Shkalla e regjistrimit në të gjitha nivelet po rritet, por ende është ndjeshëm nën mesataren, dhe shumë të rinj të komunitetit Roma dhe Ashkali nuk arrijnë të arsimohen në nivele më të larta. Në këtë vit akademik, Ministria e Arsimit, Shkencës dhe Teknologjisë ka rritur numrin e bursave për studentët Roma, Ashkali (dhe egjiptianë) nga 500 në 600, dhe gjithashtu ka alokuar fonde për qendrat e mësimit që më parë financoheshin kryesisht nga donatorët.

Promovimi i Arsimit Inkluziv

Qeveria duhet të inkurajojë klasat e integruara që bashkojnë nxënës nga shumë origjinë etnike si një mënyrë proaktive për të promovuar inkluzivitetin. Brezi i ri mund të bëhet më i bashkuar si shoqëri dhe të ndihmojë në shërimin e ndarjeve përmes shkëmbimeve kulturore dhe mundësive të përbashkëta për të mësuar. Kosova duhet të prioritetizojë implementimin e një sistemi arsimor inkluziv për të mbrojtur rininë e ndjeshme nga radikalizmi. Ka avancuar disi, siç tregohet nga zhvillimi i një manuali për mësuesit dhe trajnimi i thelluar i edukatorëve (shihni seksionin mbi arsimimin). Është një nga pjesëmarrësit aktivë në projektin për Luftimin e Terrorizmit në Ballkanin Perëndimor.

Investimi në Infrastrukturë

Një plan investimi i fokusuar është i nevojshëm për të adresuar boshllëqet në infrastrukturë dhe burime. Fondet e alokuara për modernizimin e klasave, furnizimin me materiale mësimore dhe rritjen e burimeve arsimore si një e tërë do të ndihmojnë në ndërtimin e një sistemi arsimor më të drejtë dhe efikas në të dyja rajonet, urbane dhe rurale.

Rindërtimi i Programeve të Trajnimit Profesional

Rindërtimi i programeve të trajnimit profesional duhet të jetë prioriteti kryesor i qeverisë për të adresuar shkallët e larta të braktisjes dhe papunësisë rinore. Duke i përshtatur këto programe me kërkesat e industrisë dhe duke bashkëpunuar për të ofruar përvojë reale dhe praktike, mund ta përgatisim më mirë studentët për tregun e punës, gjë që do të ulë shkallët e papunësisë dhe do të promovojë rritjen ekonomike.

Ndërtimi i Një Sistemi të Fortë Arsimor

Ndërtimi i një sistemi arsimor të fortë kërkon adresimin e dallimeve historike, rritjen e standardeve arsimore, inkurajimin e gjitheperfshirjes dhe trajtimin e kufizimeve financiare. Kosova mund të vendosë themelet për një shoqëri që është e përqendruar te njohuritë, bashkëpunimi dhe prosperiteti i përbashkët duke investuar në të rinjtë e saj. Edhe pse rruga përpara është ende e gjatë, Kosova mund të përmirësojë sistemin e saj arsimor dhe të krijojë një bazë për një të ardhme më të mirë duke punuar së bashku.

 

References

Educational challenges in Kosovo

Written by Veronica Grazzi

Located in the center of the Balkans, Kosovo is mostly known for its turbulent historical and political events. With its 1.8 million inhabitants, Kosovo has experienced many conflicts and declarations of independence, including changes in government and policy shifts. After separating from Serbia in 2008, the country faces numerous challenges in education, where a lot of obstacles prevent the creation of a consistent and inclusive system.

Because of the conflict, international intervention and post-conflict funds were channeled through the country through the international UN Interim Mission to Kosovo (UNMIK). Education was perceived as one of the ways to contain the conflict between Serbian and Kosovo Albanian imaginaries of Kosovo’s nationhood, so the international community opted for a divided education system.

Today, Kosovo is experiencing substantial reforms in its higher education system. This transformation includes the establishment and growth of higher education institutions, including nine public and twenty-two private universities. While significant improvements have been made, persistent issues continue to hinder the development of a robust and inclusive educational system.

Ethnic Divides and Integration

One component which is normally not missing from any narrative of a nation’s history is that of a nation’s origin or foundation.”

The discursive construction of National Identity, 2009

This citation very well applies to Kosovo; the basis for the current nationalistic discourse in Serbia and Kosovo lies in the various historical interpretations of the contested area of Kosovo.

The society in Kosovo is divided along ethnic lines, and this is evident also in Kosovo’s education system. Up until 1980, Kosovo’s educational system was a component of the old Yugoslavian system. The 1999 Kosovo War left strong antagonism between Albanian and Serbs communities, hampering the creation of an integrated and harmonious educational environment.

More specifically, to avoid further clashes, while Kosovo Serb pupils are taught in schools overseen by the Serbian government, Kosovo Albanian students and other non-Serb minorities attend state institutions of the Republic of Kosovo. The two groups not only follow two distinct curricula, but also they don’t interact or communicate with one another. This results in an obstacle for collaboration among the younger generations, and more in general for the rebuilding of solid peaceful-coexistence process.

Evidence suggests that the existing national curricula in the education systems of Serbia and Kosovo are motivated by sociopolitical and nationalistic ideologies that legitimize the narrative of contested victimization. Both systems do not objectively address historical events, present only one side of the story, and actively work to promote a positive image of the corresponding ethnic group.

Especially in universities, the division follows the political lines and becomes stronger, with opposite visions over the future policies.

Inclusive education

In the Kosovo Education Strategy Plan 2021-2025 launched by the Ministry of Education, providing access to equal and quality education is not only a priority but also a challenge.

Kosovo is among the Balkan countries where girls and boys aged 0-6 have fewer opportunities to attend pre-school education. According to research published by KOMF – a coalition of 29 NGOs dedicated to child protection – only 4.8 per cent of children between the ages of 0 and 4 attend nurseries or kindergartens. The percentage rises to 90 per cent in the 5-6 age group.

According to UNMIK, in 2019 38,000 children with disabilities were not attending schools. Social norms are the first step in this process, as they have the tendency to stigmatize individuals with disabilities. From there, structural barriers like inadequate transportation, inaccessible classrooms, and a lack of specialized support follow. UNMIK reported interesting data about which are the causes according to the young population; society’s mentality (39%), lack of cash benefits (22%), lack of services (14%), and lack of inclusive legislation and policies (14%).

Across all educational levels, inclusive education in Kosovo faces numerous obstacles. Rural locations have low pre-school attendance because of perceived travel distance and indifference. In an analysis promoted by the Kosovo 2.0 portal, it was revealed that most kindergartens are located in cities and few are located in rural areas. This is also partly related to the lack of coherent and coordinated actions between central and local authorities. There are no public transport services to take girls and boys to the kindergartens closest to their residence.

Increasing parent awareness, increasing the number of pre-school classes offered, and enhancing transportation services are some ways that can be used to increase participation. Even though basic education (grades 1–9) is required, up to 25% of students drop out, especially in villages that have satellite schools. Travel distance, females’ security concerns, and budgetary limitations are obstacles. Enrollment rates for secondary education are lower in rural areas than in metropolitan ones, indicating a preference for gymnasiums over vocational institutions. Vocational education reform is essential, and household finances and travel distance have a role in secondary school selection.

With a few notable exceptions, like the prosperous agricultural school in Lipjan, the rural economy, which has been influenced by previous industrial collapse and conflict, affects interest in agricultural vocational schools. Sustaining interest in hands-on training programs and matching educational offerings to changing rural economic demands are continuing difficulties.

High Dropout Rates and Unemployment

High dropout rates are a problem in Kosovo, especially for secondary school. Youth unemployment is a result of both economic difficulties and a mismatch between the skills taught in schools and those required by the job market. This problem is made worse by the poor options for vocational training, which leaves many young people without the skills needed to find work and feeds the cycle of economic stagnation. Kosovo’s economic problems, such as high jobless rates and a faltering economy, have an impact on the educational system. The availability of educational materials, teacher pay, and the quality of education can all be impacted by a lack of funds and resources.

Adults in rural areas report having less access to education, while non-formal education is mostly concentrated in urban areas and occurs occasionally. In order to close the educational gap that exists for adults and youth who are not in school, lifelong learning programs, government backing, and private sector engagement in capacity building and self-employment promotion in rural areas are required. Continued funding from NGOs is essential to keeping up capacity-building initiatives in these communities.

Public Spending in Education

The state budget dedicated to pre-school education, according to a recent Kosovo 2.0 study, has not changed much in recent years. It increased from €14 million in 2017 to €17 million in 2019 and then, in 2020, it dropped to €16 million. In its annual report on Kosovo in 2020, the European Commission pointed out that the shortcomings of Kosovo’s education system – also highlighted by the PISA tests – were also to be attributed to the low inclusion of children in pre-school education.

The demands of the labor market are not being sufficiently met by the educational system. Compared to middle-income nations with similar age demographics, Kosovo invests 4.7% of its GDP on education; nonetheless, the amount spent on elementary and secondary education per student is comparatively low. This is mostly due to the high student-teacher ratio, which is twice as high as the EU average, and the high cost of teacher wages.

Primary school enrollment rates are high, at 96%, and secondary school enrollment rates are high, at 88.1%. However, low PISA scores and relatively high unemployment rates for postsecondary graduates (19.2% in Q2 2018) when compared to the EU indicate deficiencies in the relevance and caliber of education. In the early stages of reforming the vocational education system, the condition of vocational education training (VET) schools is being examined. Nowadays, research expenditures account for a small 0.1% of GDP. Following the inauguration of a new Ministry of Innovation in 2018, two regional innovation centers were awarded a grant of EUR 1.1 million for specialized labs and equipment.

Possible Government Actions

Some improvements can be noted in the field of education. The enrollment rate at all levels is increasing, but it is still significantly below the average, and a lot of young Roma and Ashkali do not reach higher levels of education. In this academic year, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has increased the number of scholarships for Roma, Ashkali (and Egyptian) students from 500 to 600, and has also allocated funds to learning centers that were previously primarily funded by donors.

Promoting Inclusive Education: The government should encourage integrated classrooms that bring together pupils from many ethnic origins as a proactive way to promote inclusivity. The younger generation may become more united as a society and help heal divisions through cultural exchange and shared learning opportunities. Kosovo should prioritize implementing an inclusive education system in order to shield susceptible youth from radicalization. It has advanced somewhat, as seen by the development of a manual for instructors and the thorough training of educators (refer to the section on education). It is one of the active participants in the project for the Western Balkan Counter-Terrorism (WBCTi).

Investing in Infrastructure: A focused investment plan is necessary to address the gaps in infrastructure and resources. Funds allocated for modernizing classrooms, supplying instructional materials, and augmenting educational resources as a whole will help to build a more just and efficient educational system in both urban and rural regions.

Revamping Vocational Training Programs: Redesigning vocational training programs should be the government’s primary priority in order to address high dropout rates and youth unemployment. By matching these programs to industry demands and working together to offer real-world, hands-on experience, we can better prepare students for the workforce, which will lower unemployment rates and promote economic growth.

Building a robust educational system requires addressing historical differences, raising educational standards, encouraging inclusion, and addressing financial limits. Kosovo can set the stage for a society that is centered on knowledge, cooperation, and shared prosperity by making investments in its youth. Although the road ahead is still long, Kosovo can improve its educational system and create the groundwork for a better future by working together.

Cover Image by: Ben Wicks, 2018 via Unsplash

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