Ministers' Applause - A Slap in the Face to Our Future: Ceremony Held in Mostar, No Place for the Best!

This is, for me and I believe for all of us, an exceptional event and one of the most beautiful days, because we have the opportunity to promote the best elementary and high school students in FBiH for the 2015/2016 school year, stated Elvira Dilberović, Minister of Education of FBiH.

The minister added that "this ceremony shows that student excellence is rewarded and highly valued, and it is our obligation to ensure appropriate education for all our youth and to continue to encourage their success.".

Minister Dilberović, are you sure that the best were awarded today in Mostar? They were not! And you know that very well, so you said that cantonal ministers nominated the students, and they, in turn, said that you told them whom to remove from the list.

A total of 54 elementary and high school students received diplomas and one-time cash awards at the ceremony in Mostar, in the amount of 400.00 KM for elementary school students, and 540.00 KM for high school students. Minister Dilberović, did you follow the statements of professors, wronged students, rectors, former ministers of education – with one message – someone must be held accountable.

Someone must also answer why the math and physics olympians, winners of numerous medals at international olympiads, students at top universities in the world Bahrudin Trbalić, silver at IPhO (top 20 in Europe), MIT, Nermedin Džeković, silver at IPhO (top 20 in Europe), PMF, Salko Zlatko Lagumdžija, bronze at IMO, Brown University, Neira Kurtović, bronze at IMO, University of Oxford, Adisa Bolić, bronze at IMO, 4th grade of the International High School were excluded from your lists!

The country currently has no better individuals, but politics has decided to stand in the way of their knowledge for its own interests, against their desire to stay in BiH tomorrow and contribute to the country's development.

Who has the right to drive "brains" out of BiH, who has the right to insult professors, olympians, the future of BiH without any criteria, just to please politics.

As you announced at the ceremony, students were selected based on the following criteria: academic success and extracurricular activities (school clubs, events, etc.), notable achievements at federal, state, and international competitions in various subject areas, participation in socially useful volunteer work, and success in sports, cultural, and other activities, as well as appropriate conduct at school.

All of the above, and even more, applies to Trbalić, Džeković, Lagumdžija, Bolić..., but they are not among you. They should have been here today. And you should have applauded them. Therefore, your applause today is a slap in the face to our future and knowledge, and your silence is proof of a submissive attitude towards the policies of others, which this country implements in the name of another country!

By: Amina Čorbo-Zećo