Conference of Ministers of Education in BiH remains committed to full implementation of the obligations of BiH in the EU accession process

The Conference of Ministers of Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina, comprising ministers responsible for education at all levels, met today in Sarajevo, and stressed in its conclusions that it maintains its commitment and efforts aimed at full implementation of the obligations of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the field of education in the European Union accession process.

Following the submission of our membership application to the European Union, institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be faced with a complex task of preparing responses to several thousand questions, including those relating to education, to be submitted to the European Commission in a short time“, said Adil Osmanović, Civil Affairs Minister, and called on all relevant educational authorities in BiH totake active participation in this process.

Minister Osmanović reminded of the necessity to adopt strategic documents in the field of education at the state level, and in particular the document Vision for Skills 2020, as a prerequisite for the use of sectoral reform support, as a new EU instrument to finance projects in the field of employment, education and social policy.

Ministers of Education in BiH were also addressed by the Head of the EU Delegation to BiH and EU Special Representative in BiH, Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark. “The education system of Bosnia and Herzegovina needs reforms in order to focus on improving the quality of all levels of education, access to education without discrimination, and establishing better links with the labor market. This is essential for the functioning of the labor market and the prosperity of BiH. The EU is committed to providing support for improving the quality of the education system in BiH, and the introduction of the EU standards. Relevant authorities at all levels of government should work towards positive changes“, said Wigemark.

Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, Ambassador Jonathan Moore called on education authorities in BiH not to encourage, but instead prevent discrimination, especially in view of the problem of the Bosnian language in schools in Republika Srpska and divisions of children along ethnic lines in Jajce.

The Conference of Ministers of Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina took note of the presentation of the Study of the European Commission, titled From University to Employment: Higher Education and the Labor Market Needs in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Following the publication of the Study, relevant education authorities will consider actions to implement its recommendations. Also, members of the Conference were informed by representatives of the EU Delegation to BiH on the sectoral reforms support instrument and stressed the commitment of educational authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the use of funds under this instrument.

 

Find additional information at www.mcp.gov.ba or contact zorica.rulj@mcp.gov.ba

 

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