Ambassador Wigemark calls for addressing the issue of segregated schooling

EU Special Representative and Head of the EU Delegation to BiH, Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, gave opening remarks at the conference launching the OSCE-prepared report “Two schools under one roof: The Most Visible Example of Discrimination in Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, held on 3 December 2018 in Sarajevo.

The report addresses the practice of segregated schooling known as ‘two schools under one roof’, as the most visible manifestation of discrimination in the education system of the country. It includes recommendations on how to advance the vision of a peaceful, stable and multi-ethnic Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Segregating children in schools is a violation of human rights. This issue has to be sorted out“, Ambassador Wigemark stressed.

Introductory speeches were delivered by OSCE Ambassador Bruce Berton, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy Nicola Minasi and US Ambassador to BiH Maureen Cormack.

A short film entitled “A vision of unity: Jajce’s student movement for inclusive multi-ethnic education” was screened on this occasion, followed by a presentation of the report and a short discussion.

The ‘two schools under one roof’ practice is present in 56 schools (in 28 locations) around Bosnia and Herzegovina, including both primary and secondary schools.

Reports in official BiH languages and English are available for download at:

https://www.osce.org/mission-to-bosnia-and-herzegovina/404990

Europa.ba