SARAJEVO, Sept 8 (Hina) - Croats in the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina have made it possible for Bosniak (Moslem) children to be educated in line with Bosniak (Moslem) curricula, and they ask the Moslem part to do the same for Croat
pupils, read a statement issued by the office of the Croat-Moslem Federation's President, Ivo Andric Luzanski, on Wednesday. According to the statement, the Moslem side refused the principle of reciprocity in the establishment of separate school classes, although Bosnian Croats requested it. In addition, it was decided to close the Croat primary school in the central Bosnian town of Vares, whereas the Catholic school centre in Zenica was proclaimed a private school. Andric Luzanski's office stressed that the Croat party would adhere to the demand that schools with separate and recognised (Croat) curricula be set up in cities like Sarajevo, Zenica and Tuzla as well as
SARAJEVO, Sept 8 (Hina) - Croats in the Federation of Bosnia-
Herzegovina have made it possible for Bosniak (Moslem) children to
be educated in line with Bosniak (Moslem) curricula, and they ask
the Moslem part to do the same for Croat pupils, read a statement
issued by the office of the Croat-Moslem Federation's President,
Ivo Andric Luzanski, on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the Moslem side refused the principle
of reciprocity in the establishment of separate school classes,
although Bosnian Croats requested it. In addition, it was decided
to close the Croat primary school in the central Bosnian town of
Vares, whereas the Catholic school centre in Zenica was proclaimed
a private school.
Andric Luzanski's office stressed that the Croat party would adhere
to the demand that schools with separate and recognised (Croat)
curricula be set up in cities like Sarajevo, Zenica and Tuzla as
well as where it is also necessary.
What we want is the joint schooling system and education policy as
well as multinational schools but we cannot accept joint curricula
and educational programmes, read the statement adding that it was
unacceptable for Croats to take Bosnian language when their mother
tongue is Croatian.
The statement also pointed to the right to have education in one's
own mother tongue and under special programmes, what was also
provided for in the European charter on national minorities.
Besides, Croats are a constituent nation who can enjoy the cultural
autonomy guaranteed by the Constitution. To deny this right can be
interpreted as an attempt of forcible assimilation and this cannot
be allowed, the statement said.
The office of the Federation's President also described all
attempts of centralisation and unitarisation of the education
system as unacceptable.
(hina) jn ms