Ceremony: 40 educators awarded in FBiH

The Federal Ministry of Education and Science, the Union of Secondary and Higher Education, Upbringing, Science and Culture of BiH, and the Independent Union of Primary Education and Upbringing of FBiH have once again fittingly marked World Teachers' Day. At today's joint formal academy in Sarajevo, awards and acknowledgements were presented, along with monetary awards of 600 convertible marks each, to educators, teachers, and professors for their dedication, humanity, understanding, and tolerance in educational and pedagogical work, reports the BiH news agency Patria.

Awards were received by 40 educators from across the Federation of BiH, one of which was awarded posthumously.

Minister Damir Mašić thanked the awarded educators for their exceptional contribution to the field of preschool, primary, and secondary education and for the progress made in their work, regardless of the conditions in which they worked and operated.

- Being the best is neither easy nor simple. And if you are the best in your competition, then it is truly an outstanding achievement - said Mašić.

He also thanked the education unions for their support and partnership in all reform projects. Reflecting on the past period and the jurisdiction of the Federal Ministry of Education and Science, which has been narrowed down to a coordinating role, Minister Mašić stated that, nevertheless, a visible progress has been made in all segments of educational reform, mentioning, among other things, the establishment of a more transparent textbook policy system and the completion of the revision process of the Framework National Curriculum for the nine-year primary school in FBiH, as well as the initiated activities on developing a curriculum for the nine-year primary school based on learning outcomes.

- We have provided free textbooks for socially vulnerable primary school students in FBiH, scholarships for over 250 top students of Roma nationality, as well as awards for over 350 students for achievements in federal, state, and international knowledge competitions, and awards for 120 educators. We have improved working conditions in more than 50 educational institutions throughout FBiH with funds amounting to 2,000,000 KM, and secured one million KM for the repair of damages to 15 educational institutions caused by floods in four cantons (ZDK, TK, USK, and PK) - said Mašić.

He also emphasized that the FMON has provided scholarships for 175 top students from 73 public faculties, subsidized accommodation and meals for about 430 students annually in student dormitories in the Federation of BiH, and provided 700 student loans through the Fund for Student Loans of FBiH.

It was emphasized that further efforts are necessary to implement the initiated educational reform, which has been further slowed down in the Federation of BiH due to decentralized jurisdiction.

- Nevertheless, it is our obligation to create equal conditions and equal opportunities for our children in terms of accessibility and quality of educational services, whereby no prejudices, affiliations, or political, social, societal, personal, or any other views and interests should be an obstacle to the correct approach and joint work, without which we cannot provide them with a happy childhood, quality education, and secure foundations for the future - emphasized Mašić.

The event marking World Teachers' Day for the entire Federation of BiH was jointly established four years ago by the Federal Ministry and education unions, with the aim of affirming and presenting to the public the most distinguished educators who have achieved notable results in their work, as well as the teaching profession itself.

Incidentally, World Teachers' Day was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1994 in commemoration of the same date in 1966, when the Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers was signed, and it is celebrated on October 5th every year in more than 100 countries worldwide. According to UNESCO, this day is an opportunity to show that the work of teachers is recognized as one of the most important for the overall development of society and is valued as such, it was announced from the Federal Ministry of Education and Science.