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

ns of exclusion as well the composition
of socially excluded groups. In addition
to girls and children with disabilities,
there was an increase in the percentage
of non-Serb minorities, children from
poor families and those from rural areas
excluded from the education system.
High education expenses such as costs
of books, transportation and schoolappropriate
dress, concerns for personal
security, and preferences for boys’
in some communities contributed to
high drop-out rates. 72
After 1999, the drive to align Kosovo’s
systems with European standards
led to passage of vital legislation guaranteeing
equal opportunities, nondiscrimination
and inclusion in the
education sector. 73 The Constitution
of Kosovo stipulates that every person
enjoys the right to free basic education.
Mandatory education is regulated
by law and funded by public funds.
Public institutions are required to ensure
equal educational opportunities
for all in accordance with specific abilities
and needs. 74
According to the Law on Education
in Municipalities, the Ministry of
Education, Science and Technology is
responsible for developing and implementing
a non-discriminatory system
of education that provides both formal
and informal lifelong learning opportunities.
The law calls for a number of
provisions to achieve this goal: (1) inclusive
policies for the integration of
persons with disabilities into the education
system, (2) a comprehensive
certification system for all teachers
in Kosovo, and (3) fostering school/
community partnerships at the local
level to allow parents and community
members to participate in education
activities. 75
As yet, these goals are dimly realized.
The legacy of exclusion still hangs
over many Kosovans, particularly minorities
and girls. Kosovo’s authorities
reported almost 308,000 students in
the public school system in Kosovo in
2002. The percentage of students from
ethnic minorities was as follows: 14,000
(4.5 percent) were children from the
Kosovo-Serb community, 0.9 percent of
students were Kosovo-RAE, and 2 percent
were members of other minority
groups. 76 In 2009/2010, Kosovo’s authorities
reported almost 440,452 students
in the public school system in Kosovo.
At least 96.6 percent were K-Albanians
whereas just 3.4 percent were members
of other minority groups. These
data in themselves are illustrative of the
challenge that minorities in Kosovo face
when seeking quality learning.
Overall, Kosovo’s enrolment rates
have remained steadily high. According
to the report: “Kosovo Education in
Figures 2008/09”, enrolment rates are
114.7 percent (this counterintuitive enrolment
rate is explained in the report
as due to the high migration rate levels
in 1998/1999) 77 for lower secondary
education and 81.8 percent for higher
secondary education. The enrolment of
students in universities has increased
recently due to the establishment of a
number of private universities (around
30). 78 In 2008/09, there were 7,797 students
attending private universities,
(on graduate and post-graduate courses)
equivalent to 27 percent of the public
university population. 79 Despite the
higher enrolment rate, Kosovo still falls
behind other countries of the region in
terms of university graduates. 80
3.2
Mechanisms and
drivers of exclusion
from education
In any given village or town across
Kosovo, potential students will demon-
ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND EXCLUSION
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