REACTIONS The right of a teacher to choose from multiple textbooks is an achievement of all civilized countries

(Patria) - The Government of Sarajevo Canton, at the proposal of the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth, has again determined the Proposal of the Law on Textbooks of KS, the fundamental provision of which (at least that is how it is presented to the public) is that one textbook is used for one subject. 

The Association of Publishers/Editors in Bosnia and Herzegovina reminds the public that the right of a teacher to choose from several offered textbooks is an achievement of all civilized countries. 

“There is no country in the European Union where the policy of one subject, one textbook is implemented (one textbook is not used even in Serbia, Montenegro, or Macedonia...). Such a practice is implemented in the BiH entity of RS, North Korea, Belarus. 

The Association of Publishers/Editors in Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes the position of the Parents' Council and the Trade Union of Primary Education and Upbringing of Sarajevo Canton that it is unacceptable for parents to spend significant financial resources on purchasing textbooks every school year.

We also agree that it is necessary to relieve parents of the embarrassment of buying textbooks and the endless visits to bookstores and flea markets where used books are sold. Therefore, we call on the Parents' Council and the Trade Union to immediately initiate an action with the competent ministry in KS to provide free textbooks to all students in primary schools,” reads the reaction signed by Muamer Spahić, president of the Association of Publishers/Editors in Bosnia and Herzegovina.