Marjanović for Patria: If the case of Bosna Sema school students is a political decision, it is condemnable

The Rector of the International Burch University in Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Damir Marjanović, said that he hopes the students of Bosna Sema school were left without awards from the Federal Ministry of Education due to a bureaucratic error, not a political decision, writes Patria.

This year, the Federal Ministry of Education removed students attending the international Bosna Sema schools from the list of annual ministry awards, even though some of them have won numerous domestic and international awards in mathematics and physics. Such a decision by Minister Elvira Dilberović has caused sharp reactions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although no one has confirmed it yet, it is believed that the students were left without awards because they attend a school that Turkish authorities associate with Fetullah Gülen.        

- We talk so often about how children are the future of this country and how we must invest in them. We especially boast about the successes of our brilliant girls and boys, we write Facebook statuses for them, and officials, who often have no part in their success, are very happy to pose for photos with them. 

Precisely because of this, I want to believe that this story and this case is a big bureaucratic mistake, because I cannot accept that some people, due to so-called political settling of scores, are ready to punish those who have already achieved so much at the age of 18-19 and who are writing a better future for our homeland – Professor Marjanović told Patria.

- Honestly, I expect a public and official address from the representatives of this ministry, primarily the minister, who should explain what happened – added Professor Marjanović. He believes that if it turns out that the mistake was made accidentally, "then it is easy to correct it with an apology to these young people and the awarding of deserved prizes". However, if it turns out that this decision was made solely due to the political (in)suitability of the school they come from, then, Marjanović believes, such discrimination is condemnable.

- Those who carry out discrimination should face the most severe possible sanctions for two reasons: a) because they are not doing their job well and b) because they are willing to punish the best, on whom we constantly claim the world rests, due to political machinations. But let's not rush, let's wait to see what the official institution that has been publicly called out in the open letter by these young men and women, whom I wholeheartedly support in their struggle, will say! – says Professor Marjanović, writes Patria.