KOSOVO CASE STUDY Aferdita Spahiu, UNICEF Kosovo

19 October, Geneva

About Kosovo

Kosovo newly declared independent country Political status pending on UN recognition 83 countries recognize Kosovo, including 24

EU member states  Population almost 2 m:87 per cent K-Albanian 7 per cent K-Serb 1.8 per cent Roma, Ashkali & Egyptian 4.2 per cent Bosniak, Turks, Gorani & others

Some figures on education

Net enrolment rate for primary schools 88%

Less than 10% of children 3-6 y have access to early childhood education

Only 10 % of children with special needs attend school

Less than 75% of children who complete compulsory education continue to enrol in upper secondary school

55% of K-Albanian girls and 40% of non-Serb minorities. Almost no Roma girl continues secondary education

70% youth unemployment rate

Key findings of the study

Most of the Kosovar youth have rated education above average or better

Very small percentage rated poor or somewhat poor

Older youth are less enthusiastic about quality of education comparing to the younger ones

…most of Kosovars highly value education, because education is important:

for all aspects of life preparing for a job ensuring a better status in society good citizenship and helping me

develop this country widening my perspectives

More education

93 per cent of respondents request more education

13-18 want more than 19-24 youth

high percentage of those who have dropped out from school reqeusted more education

…

Main factor that contributed to achievement of their desired level of education was "personal interest and motivation“

For Serb youth: financial means is the main factor.

…

Neither of the subgroups mention politization as a factor that influenced their education attainment

 Youth very often expressed their concerns on the frailer to fully implement educationrefoms throughout Kosovo

How to achieve quality education Their priorities are diverse and range

from addressing the lack of space to school safety

A frustrating mismatch between the curriculum and exam content at the secondary level

Call for practical skills

Extreme poverty is twice the regional median

youth unemployment more than 70 percent

Kosovo’s labor market cannot absorb graduates

a higher proportion of youth have no confidence in government to deliver high quality services

youth dissatisfaction with government outpaces their dissatisfaction with education quality

Youth in both Albanian- and Serbian-majority areas express curiosity about one another’s lives

They suggest more forums for youth to discuss and compare their education concerns within and across communities

Youth across Kosovo want increased youth involvement to urgently address their concerns and ideas and meet their strong demand and expectations for high quality education

advocacy messages

The demand of the Kosovo adolescents and youth for improved quality of education is the last call for all stakeholders to strengthen the support in secondary and higher education

The economic growth and social inclusion are pending on investments in education, empowerment and participation of youth

Follow up plans

The Kosovo Case Study will be translated into local languages

Publication and dissemination of the study

Round table discussions on the findings of the study and recommendations

Opportunities for review of the existing and ongoing programmes: CFS, Violence Prevention in Schools, Youth Innovations Lab etc.