The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani Sadriu reacted after the strike in the education sector and the failure to commence the teaching process.
President Osmani invited the parties involved to replace the boycott of the teaching process with dialogue.
“Today we need reflection and responsible behavior, not only in relation to the educational process but also for the great challenges that our country is going through. The union of the pre-university education sector has the right to address the concerns in relation to the well-being of teachers and their salaries, but always avoiding the irreparable damage done to the interest of the students by stopping the teaching process,” said President Osmani.
Below is Madam President's entire post:
Every September 1st, we congratulated our students and teachers for a successful school year. Today, instead of congratulations, we should send a message of reflection due to the strike and the non-commencement of the educational process, inviting the parties involved in this issue to replace the boycott of the educational process with dialogue.
Today we need reflection and responsible behavior, not only in relation to the learning process but also for the great challenges that our country is going through. The union of the pre-university education sector has the right to address the concerns in relation to the well-being of teachers and their salaries but always avoiding the irreparable damage done to the interest of students by stopping the teaching process.
Education has played a role not only in the formation of our national consciousness but also in state building and our overall progress. As such, it is sacred, because it is the key to the bright future of our society and state.
For this reason, Kosovo's institutions are carrying out reforms to improve the education system, increase quality, train young people for the labor market, as well as to improve the material position of teachers. That is why the Draft Salary Law, which foresees the improvement of the position of teachers, has been processed. All parties have the right to address their proposals for the improvement of this Draft Law, which is open for preliminary discussions and is expected to be opened for public discussion very soon.
So, instead of the strike, which harms the students, dialogue should be given an opportunity, which is beneficial to the students, teachers, institutions and other organizations.
The beginning of the teaching process for our students should be unconditional. Every action of the institutions and unions should be at the service of the students and the improvement of the quality of the education system. We owe it to the students, hence every employee in the educational sector, as well as the education union, should be, in the first place, in service to the interest of the students.
As the President of the country, I am in favor of improving the position of teachers and increasing the quality of education, knowing that quality education is the foundation of a successful state and society. But I am on the side of the students. The right belongs only to them! We must offer and protect the right to education! The strike must be replaced by dialogue!
My office has contacted all parties and is engaging to find an acceptable solution that focuses on the interest of students and the entire educational system.