Kosovo Human Development Report 2010 - UNDP Kosovo - United ...

Kosovo today – they may be correct.
Should these perceptions and conditions
persist, Kosovo could continue to
b o x
3.1
lag behind in building a competitive
workforce and miss the opportunity to
build a stronger economy.
Prior to 1999, Kosovo’s education
system was government-funded and
was free to households. Basic education
was of good quality, and secondary
school students performed relatively
well. However, not all children
in Kosovo could access these educational
opportunities and economic,
geographical and cultural factors created
particular barriers for girls and
children with disabilities. Between
1989 and 1992, before the imposition
of the so-called “forceful measures”,
Kosovo expanded its eight-year primary
education to near universal enrolment,
estimated at around 95 per
cent. 69 After 1991-92 when repressive
measures were established in Kosovo
54 | KOSOVO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2010
UNICEF defines a quality education as
by the Serbian regime of the time and
the Kosovo “parallel” educational system
70 was in place, enrolment of Al-
• Learners who are healthy, well-nourished and ready to participate and
learn, and supported in learning by their families and communities;
• Environments that are healthy, safe, protective and gender-sensitive,
and provide adequate resources and facilities;
• Content that is reflected in relevant curricula and materials for the
acquisition of basic skills, especially in the areas of literacy, numeracy
and skills for life, and knowledge in such areas as gender, health,
nutrition, HIV/AIDS prevention and peace.
• Processes through which trained teachers use child-centred teaching
approaches in well-managed classrooms and schools and skilful
assessment to facilitate learning and reduce disparities.
• Outcomes that encompass knowledge, skills and attitudes, and are
linked to national goals for education and positive participation in
society.”
(Defining Quality in Education, UNICEF, 2000)
banian speaking children in primary
schools fell from over 304,000 in 1989
to just under 264,000 in 1999, a decline
of some 13 percent. 71 During this period,
the reduction of enrolment rates
came as a result of limited movement,
security concerns, and high internal
displacement of the Kosovo Albanian
population under repression by the
Serbian police.
Another big problem for people with
disabilities in rural areas is the distance
from educational institutions. Very often,
the bad infrastructure of the road and the
weather conditions make it impossible for
people with disabilities to attend school.
Disabled participant of a focus
group
These dramatic political developments
affected the nature and patte-