• Report on the Situation of Albanian language Education in Kosova
• Albanian Language Education in Kosova 1990 -1998

The letter was signed August 12 1997 by Abdyl Ramaj, Secretary of the Commission for Education of Democratic League of Kosova, and Head of Parliamentary Commission for Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Kosova. It was sent to Frederico Mayor UNESCO General Director, as well as to several embassies in Belgrade.

THE SITUATION IN ALBANIAN EDUCATION IN KOSOVA AND POSSIBILITIES FOR ITS TEMPORARY NORMALIZATION

Under the Constitution of Kosova and pursuant to appropriate laws provisions, Kosova had full independence in regulating the education, science and culture, just like the other republics of the former Yugoslavia.

Following the forceful annexation of Kosova and the suspension of its legitimate institutions, the Serbian regime suspended all the Kosova institutions related to education. It should be noted that the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Kosova (Secretariat of Education, Science and Culture of Kosova) as the highest organ, as well as other educational institutions, administered and maintained independently the entire educational, cultural and scientific life in Kosova. As a result, the educational authorities of Kosova were fully independent to compile and approve the curricula, to decide about the network of schools, and to control the whole educational system of Kosova. Before the Serb crack-down on Kosova, Albanian-language and Serb-language education functioned as parallel mediums of education in Kosova.

THE DESTRUCTION OF EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN KOSOVA

The destruction of educational system of Kosova has been lasting process, yet it intensified after 1981 with systematic persecution of students and teachers, the so-called “political [communist] differentiation” or complete dismissal of teachers, annulment of Kosova legislation on education, science and culture and introduction of Serb laws instead, segregation through dividing Albanian and Serb schoolchildren into different school buildings, etc. However, the process of destruction of Kosova education escalated in 1990. In spring of that year, deliberate intoxication of around 7.400 Albanian schoolchildren occurred in schools, while only a few months later, in autumn, the regime began with the closure of secondary schools. By the end of 1990, the Serbian Parliament decided that one half of secondary schools in Kosova be closed down, while in April of 1991 the Serb Parliament decided that only 28 per cent of pupils who were expected to complete their primary education that year in Kosova could resume with their secondary education. The 1991/91 school year is the year when through the use of force Serbia locked down school buildings of primary and secondary education and the University of Prishtina. As a result 396 full-class [from 1st to 8th grade] primary schools, 454 four-year and annex primary schools, 56 secondary schools, 7 teachers training and engineering colleges, and 13 faculties were closed down that year. Around 14.500 primary and 4.000 secondary school and 862 University teachers were dismissed. Owing to international pressure Serbia was forced to re-open most of the primary schools in the meantime. Yet, schoolchildren of 41 elementary schools have not been allowed to attend classes in their school ever since. The pupils of 11 such schools have been sent to attend classes in other primary schools of the community, while those of 26 others attend classes in make-shift classrooms in private houses. There are today 441 full elementary primary schools (pupils of 41 are not allowed access to school buildings) with a total of 266.413 pupils and 13.585 teachers and other education-related personnel in Kosova.

Out of 66 secondary schools operating today in Kosova, students of 6 of them only are allowed access to their school buildings. All the rest attend classes in inadequate makeshift classrooms in private houses and other buildings of community. Albanian secondary school students are also denied access to their facilities: school libraries, dormitories, sport halls (gyms) etc.

As many as 58.700 students attend secondary school education, with a teaching staff of 4.310.

More or less the situation is the same at the University of Prishtina. It has been six years now since Albanian students were expelled from 7 high schools (colleges) and 13 faculties. Besides the lecturing halls, Albanian students are denied access to the University Library, the libraries in faculties and departments, dormitories, dinning halls and canteens, sports halls (gyms) etc. In the 1996/97 academic year, there were around 16.000 students (both full-time and part-time) studying at the Albanian-medium University of Prishtina in make-shift classrooms and halls. The University teaching personnel is made of 826 full-time teachers and 200 part-time and associate teachers.

Following is the list primary schools in which Albanian schoolchildren are denied access to but are forced to either attend classes in make-shift classrooms or have bee sent to other schools where access for the Albanian has been allowed:

(Note: The word classroom stands for improvised, make-shift classrooms, outside school buildings)

FUSHĖ KOSOVĖ

1. Primary school “Selman Riza” (“Vuk Karaxhiq”), 13 classrooms, 639 pupils. Annex classes in Nakarada: 4 classrooms, 107 pupils.

2. Primary school “Mihal Grameno” (“Aca Maroviq”), 6 classrooms, 270 pupils. (Note: annex classes of the same school operating in another village or neighbourhood)

3. Primary school “V. Frashėri” in Miradi e Epėrme, 3 classrooms, 196 pupils. In the 1995/96 school year, Serb refugees were accommodated instead. During the last school, year pupils were allowed access to their classrooms.

ISTOG

4.Primary school “Bajram Curri” (“17 Nėntori”):

46 classes, 29 classrooms. (During the 1995/96 school year pupils were allowed access to their classrooms).

5.Primary school “Martin Camaj” (“Vasilije Gjuroviq”) in Gurrakoc:

23 classes, 780 pupils, 27 classrooms. During the last year pupils were allowed access to the old part of the school buildings with 9 classrooms. Classes are attended in three shifts.

6.Annex classes of the Osjan-based primary school “Radosh Toshiq” in Kosh village

(two classes with 32 pupils). Expelled from school in 1991; now attending classes in three schools of Klina municipality: Zllakuqan, Leskovc and Zallq.

FERIZAJ

7. Primary school “Abetare” (“Milan Zeqar”) in Softaj:

5 classrooms with 230 pupils; pupils were expelled from their school in 1991. Now

operating as annex classes in villages Sazlia and Papaz.

7.Primary school “Dituria” (“Milan Miliniq”) in Tankosiq, 6 classrooms, 238 pupils.

8.Primary school “Konstandin Kristoforidhi” (“Vuk Karaxhiq”) in Nerodime e Epėrme, 4 classrooms, 284 pupils. Classes in Balaj: 103 pupils and in Manastirc, 26, pupils belong to the school of Nerodime, where they were expelled from on 1 Oct.1992.

10. Primary school “Jeronim De Rada” (“Peko Tepavēeviq”) in Ferizaj, 137 pupils attend classes at “Tefik Ēanga” primary school and 299 pupils at “Gjon Serreēi” primary school.

OBILIQ

11. Primary school “Pandeli Sotiri” (“Bratstvo”), annex classes in Plemetin: 4 classrooms, 128 pupils.

12. Primary school “Fazli Grajēevci” in Crkvena Vodica: 2 classrooms, 69 pupils.

13. Primary school “Liria” (“Bashkimi”, “Jedinstvo”) in Millosheva, now attending in annex classes in Raskova with 3 classrooms, 158 pupils, as well as in the make-shift classrooms in Babimoc, 1 classroom with 21 pupils; in Millosheva, 1 classroom with 39.

PEJA

14. Primary school “Pjetėr Budi” in Bėrzhenik, 4 classrooms, 110 pupils; annex classes in Kėrstova, 2 classrooms, 50 pupils.

15. Primary school “7 Shtatori” (“Milosh Giliq”) in Vitomirica: 8 classrooms, 207 pupils. Annex classes in Siga: 3 classes with 50 pupils.

16. Primary school “Lidhja e Pejės (“Boro Vukmiroviq”) operating in the premises of the “Vaso Pashė Shkodrani” school (“Dushan Mugosha Duē”).

17. Primary school in Gorazhdec, 20 classes with 441 pupils, classes attended in two private houses. Now attending classes in Poēesta village.

LIPJAN

18. Primary school “Vėllazėrit Frashėri” (“Stanoje Aksiq”) in Lipjan, now attending classes in Akllap village in 11 classrooms with 565 pupils; annexed classes in Teqe - Janjeva, 2 classrooms; annex classes in Lepia - Radeva, 1 classroom, 8 pupils, and at the Jeta e Re settlement: 44 pupils.

19. Primary school “Shtjefėn Gjeēovi” (Vladimir Nazor”) in Janjeva, 12 classrooms, 271 pupils.

VITIA

20. Primary school “Faik Konica”(“Miladin Markoviq” in Vitia: 3 classrooms, 238 pupils; annexed classes in Begunca: 1 classroom, and 1 pre-school class; classes in Ramnishta: 2 classes; classes in Debresh, 2 classrooms, 123 pupils. 21. Primary school “Gjon Serreēi” (Miladin Rajkoviq”) in Podgor: pupils expelled in 1991/92 school year, now attending classes in private houses in 3 classrooms, 52 pupils.

22. Annex classes of “Ramiz Sadiku” primary school of Radivojci at Zhitia village: 2 classes with 78 pupils.

GJILAN

23. Primary school “Thimi Mitko” (“Vuk Karaxhiq”), pupils expelled in 1991. Now attending classes in the “Musa Zajmi” school in Gjilan. The school has 34 classes with 1075 pupils.

PRISHTINA

24. Primary school “Faik Konica” (“A. Maroviq”): pupils have been “sheltered” in primary schools “Dardania”, “Hasan Prishtina” and “Naim Frashėri”.

VUSHTRRI

25. Primary school “Mustafa Venhari” (“21 Dhjetori”): in the 1988/98 school year, 42 classes with 1315 pupils. Now it has 1001 pupils in 36 classes.

KAĒANIK

26. Primary school “Vėllazria” in Kaēanik, only Serb pupils attend classes in it now. Serb refugees and Serb police also accommodated in it. Albanian pupils (319) have moved to another old building, abandoned several years ago. 24 pupils of this school attend classes in Kaēaniku i Vjetėr.

RAHOVEC

27. Primary school “Mihal Grameno” (“Vuk Karaxhiq”) in Rahovec, with 620 pupils. In the 1995/96 the pupils were expelled from their school for three months. They were forced to attend classes at “7 Shtatori” school in Rahovec. The school is operating in its own premises.

28. Primary school “Haki Stėrmilli” (“Ramizi e Bora”) in Zoqisht: pupils expelled during the 1991/92 school year; 8 classes, 210 pupils. Now attending classes in Opterusha Retia in 4 classes, 127 pupils.

LEPOSAVIQ

29.Primary school “Slobodan P. Kėrcun”: a class with 4 Albanian pupils used to exist. It does not any more.

ZVEĒAN

30.Primary school “Vuk Karaxhiq”, used to have a class in Albanian with 8 pupils. The class does not exist any longer.

NOVO BĖRDĖ

31.Primary school “Bratstvo Jedinstvo” in Jasenovik: Albanian pupils were expelled on 1.Sept.1992; now attending classes in makeshift classes in a private house at Tullar village, to classes with 24 pupils. Primary school in which pupils were compelled to attend classes in other schools:

32.Primary school “Jeronim De Rada” (“Peko Tepavēeviq”), Ferizaj. Pupils sent to “Tefik Ēanga” primary school, as well as in the premises of former secondary school and the dormitory. In the 1996/97 school year the pupils attended classes in the primary school “Tefik Ēanga” and in their own school.

33.Primary school “Liria” (“Bashkimi” - “Jedinstvo”) in Millosheva, Obiliq. Pupils were sent to attend classes to annex classes at villages Raskova and Babimoc, and one classroom in Millosheva.

34.Primary school “Lidhja e Pejės”, (“Boro Vukmiroviq”) in Peja Pupils were sent to attend classes to primary school “Vaso Pashė Shkodrani” (“Dushan Mugosha-Duē”) in Peja.

35.Primary school “Faik Konica” (“Aco Maroviq”), Prishtina: pupils were forced to attend classes in other schools, “Dardania”, “Hasan Prishtina” and “Naim Frashėri” (“Branko Radiēeviq”), formerly “Vladimir Nazor”.

36. Primary school “Mustafa Venhari” (“21 Nėntori”) in Vushtrri. Pupils were sent to attend classes at “Zija Prishtina” primary school in Vushtrri.

37.Primary school in Prilluzha, Vushtrri: the pupils now attending classes at Stanovc village.

38.Primary school “Nazim Berati” (“Nebojsha Jankoviq”, Dragash: pupils now attending classes at Shajne village.

39.Primary school “Thimi Mitko”,(“Vuk Karaxhiq”) in Gjilan: the pupils sent to attend classes at the primary school “Musa Zajmi” in Gjilan.

40. Primary school “Haki Stėrmilli”, in Zoqisht, Rahovec: pupils dispersed to Opterusha and Retia villages.

41. Primary school “Vėllazėria” in Kaēanik. Pupils sent to attend classes in the older buildings of the school.

42. Primary school “Shaban Shala” (“Vėllarėrim Bashkim”) in Podujeva: pupils sent to attend classes in the premises of “8 Nėntori” secondary school in Podujeva.

Primary schools in which the buildings were divided in disadvantage to Albanians. Albanian pupils attend classes in three to four shifts a day in these schools.

PRISHTINA

1. Primary school “Dardania”, (“Milosh Crnjanski” formerly “V.I.Lenin”) with 31 classrooms: 18 let for use to Albanians, 13 to Serbs; classes with Albanian pupils 71, with Serb pupils 13.

2. Primary school “Hasan Prishtina” (“Dositej Obradoviq) with 29 classrooms: 15 to Albanians, 14 to Serbs; classes in Albanian 49, in Serbian 24.

3. Primary school “Iliria” (“22 Decembar”) with 18 classrooms:

12 to Albanians, 6 to Serbs; classes in Albanian 39, in Serbian 11.

4. Primary school “Elena Gjika” (“Vuk Karaxhiq”) with 22 classrooms: 10 to Albanians, 12 to Serbs: classes in Albanian 26, in Serbian 18.

5. Primary school “Gjergj Fishta” (“Branisllav Nushiq”) with 28 classrooms: 20 to Albanians, 8 to Serbs; classes in Albanian 55, in Serbian 8.

6. Primary school “Pjetėr Bogdani” (“Miladin Popoviq”) with 21 classrooms: 12 to Albanians, 9 to Serbs; classes in Albanian 48, in Serbian 9.

7. Primary school “Meto Bajraktari” with 20 classrooms: 10 to Albanians, 10 to Serbs; classes in Albanian 40, in Serbian 16.

PEJA

8. Primary school “Xhemail Kada” with 52 classrooms: 41 to Albanians, 11 to Serbs;



SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Out of a total number of 66 secondary schools, only one in Malisheva and another one in Gllogovc (shared by two schools) have been allowed to operate in their own school buildings. Secondary school students are also allowed to attend classes in two school buildings that are very old (about to fall) in Prishtina, which were expected to be pulled down. During the last year, students and teachers unilaterally returned to their own school buildings in Kaēanik and Suhareka. The rest of secondary schools operate in make-shift classrooms in private homes, few of them share buildings with primary school pupils.

The list of secondary school:

(Note: Gymnasium stands for a four-year secondary school of general education, commonly non-professional in which a students is trained for his further education at university)

PRISHTINA

1.Gymnasium “Sami Frashėri” (“Ivo Lola Ribar”), 50 classes, 1475 students, 90 teachers.

2.Gymnasium “Xhevdet Doda”, 24 classes, 864 students, 48 teachers;

(operating in their own school premise, announcements were made for pulling it down).

3.Gymnasium of philology “Eqrem Ēabej”, 22 classes, 436 students, 41 teachers (operating in accessory buildings of the former secondary teachers training school).

4.Medical school “Dr. Ali Sokoli” (“9 Maj”), 42 classes, 1412 students, 73 teachers.

5.School of economics “H.K.Prishtina” (“Velko Vlahoviq”), 53 classes, 1453 students, 79 teachers.

6.School of electronics “Gjin Gazulli” (“Miladin Popoviq”), 32 classes, 862 students, 62 teachers.

7.Secondary technical school “28 Nėntori” (“19 Nėntori”), 48 classes, 1234 students, 93 teachers.

8.Secondary technical school “Shtjefėn Gjeēovi”, 25 classes, 659 students, 44 teachers.

9.Secondary school of trade, tourism and catering, 25 classes, 661 students, 37 teachers.

10.Musical school “Prenk Jakova” (“Josip Slavenski”), 7 classes, 124 students, 26 teachers.

11.School of agriculture “Abdyl Frashėri”, 13 classes, 202 students, 25 teachers.

DEĒAN

12.Secondary education center “Vėllezėrit Frashėri”, 77 classes, 1960 students, 129 teachers.

DRAGASH

13.Secondary education center “Emin Duraku” in Dragash, 21 classes, 600 students, 43 teachers. Students attending classes in private houses at villages Bellobrad and Bresana. The whole building has been used by 170 Serb students only.

FERIZAJ

14.Secondary school “Pjetėr Bogdani” (“Nikola Teslla”), 32 classes, 879 students, 62 teachers.

15.Secondary school “Faik Konica” (“Mosha Pijade”), 37 classes, 1273 students, 76 teachers.

16.Secondary agricultural school “Zenel Hajdini”, 19 classes, 366 students, 54 teachers.

17.Secondary school “Kuvendi i Arbėrit” (“J.B. Tito”), 57 classes, 1398 students, 93 teachers. Annex classes at Shtėrpce, 7 classes with 113 students.

18.Medical school, 16 classes, 730 students, 25 teachers,

FUSHĖ KOSOVĖ

19.Secondary education center “Hivzi Sulejmani”, 41 classes, 902 students, 76 teachers. Annex classes of technical training at Bardh i Madh village.

GLLOGOVC

20.Secondary education center “Skėnderbeu” (“J.B. Tito”), 37 classes, 1028 students, 69 teachers. (In 1991/92 the school was closed down, students attend classes now in their own school buildings).

21.Technical school “Leonik Tomeu”, 44 classes, 1209 students, 81 teachers. (In 1991/92 the school was closed down - students attend classes now in their own school buildings).

GJAKOVA

22.Gymnasium “Hajdar Dushi”, 37 classes, 989 students, 56 teachers.

23.School of economics “Kadri Kusari” (“Boro Vukmiroviq”), 29 classes, 793 students, 53 teachers.

24.Technical school “Nexhmedin Nixha”, 27 classes, 545 students, 49 teachers.

25.Medical school “Hysni Zajmi”, 27 classes, 1026 students, 59 teachers.

GJILAN

26.Gymnasium “Zenel Hajdini”, 41 classes, 1231 students, 71 teachers.

27.Secondary school “Arbėria” (“Boro e Ramizi”), 19 classes, 405 students, 31 teachers.

28.School of economics “Marin Barleti” (“Eduard Kardel”), 37 classes, 952 students, 70 teachers.

29.Technical school “Mehmet Isai” (“Dragi Popoviq”), 15 classes, 342 students, 28 teachers.

30.Medical school “Dr Asllan Elezi”, 11 classes, 397 students, 11 teachers.



ISTOG

31.Secondary education center “Haxhi Zeka” (“Braca Ribar”), 59 classes, 1275 students, 102 teachers. (A technical training school operates now too). The school operates in five make-shift schools at villages Cerca, Sudenica, Saradran, Tomoc and Rakosh.

KAĒANIK

32.Secondary education center “Skėndėrbeu”, 38 classes, 1163 students, 81 teachers.

KAMENICA

33.Gymnasium “Ismail Qemali” (“9 Maji), 30 classes, 801 students, 58 teachers.

34.Technical school “Andrea Durrsaku”, 15 classes, 284 students, 33 teachers.

KLINA

35.Secondary education center “Luigj Gurakuqi”, 60 classes, 1382 students, 101 teachers. Operating in five collecting centers: Klina, Zllakuqan (in private homes), and in Ujėmir, Gllareva and Sverka (in the premises of local elementary schools).

LIPJAN

36.Secondary education center “Ulpiana” in Lipjan, 91 classes, 1990 students, 155 teachers. Operating in the premise of primary schools at villages Gadime, Babush, Banulla, Rufc i Ri and Dobraja e Madhe.

MALISHEVA

37.Secondary education center “Abdyl Frashėri” (“17 Nėntori”), 33 classes, 971 students, 61 teachers. (Operating in its own buildings).

38.School of economics “Lasgush Poradeci”, 20 classes, 459 students, 35 teachers. (Operating in its own buildings).



MITROVICA

39.Gymnasium “Frang Bardhi” (“Silvira Tomazini”), 37 classes, 1108 students, 57 teachers.

40.School of economics “Hasan Prishtina”, 34 classes, 991 students, 47 teachers.

41.Medical school “Dr Xheladin Deda” (“Desa Tomoviq”), 17 classes, 665 students, 31 teachers.

42.Technical school in Zveēan - classes in Albanian language have been extinguished. In 1991/92 it had 31 classes, 750 students. It was later merged into the technical school “Arkitekt Sinani” (“B. Kidriq”) in Mitrovica.

43.Technical school “Arkitekt Sinani” (“Boris Kidriq), 41 classes, 676 students, 81 teachers.

OBILIQ

44.Secondary education center “Hasan Tahsini” (“N. Tesla”), 29 classes, 608 students, 55 teachers.

PEJA

45.Gymnasium “Bedri Pejani” (“11 Maji”), 58 classes, 1766 students, 115 teachers.

46.School of economics “Ali Hadri” (“M. Vukoviq”), 33 classes, 636 students, 48 teachers.

47.School of arts “Odhise Paskali” (“Bratstvo-Jedinstvo”), 16 classes, 141 students, 29 teachers.

48.Technical school “Shaban Spahija”, 36 classes, 909 students, 60 teachers.

49.Medical school, 10 classes, 388 students, 10 teachers.

PODUJEVA

50.Gymnasium “Aleksandėr Xhuvani”, 42 classes, 1281 students, 75 teachers.

51.“Isa Boletini” (“8 Nėntori”), 39 classes, 1051 students, 72 teachers.

52.Secondary education center “Fan Noli” (“Gjuro Gjakoviq”), 29 classes, 749 students, 60 teachers.

PRIZREN

53.Gymnasium “Gjon Buzuku” (“J.R. Kica”), 47 classes, 1068 students, 75 teachers.

54.Medical school “Luēiano Motroni” (“Ramizi e Boro”), 34 classes, 1153 students, 45 teachers.

55.School of economics “Ymer Prizreni” (“Dimitrije Tucoviq”), 26 classes, 576 students, 49 teachers.

56.Technical school “Gani Ēadverbasha”, 31 classes, 564 students, 46 teachers.

57.School of music “Lorenc Antoni” (“Stevan Mokranjac”), 6 classes, 52 students, 21 teachers.

RAHOVEC

58.Secondary education center “Ramiz Sadiku”, 36 classes, 1003 students, 65 teachers.

SKENDERAJ

59.Secondary education center “Ramiz Sadiku”, 28 classes, 888 students, 47 teachers.

60.Secondary school “Anton Ēetta”, 44 classes, 1206 students, 71 teachers.

SUHAREKA

61.Secondary education center “Jeta e re”, 38 classes, 830 students, 73 teachers.

62.Technical school “Skėndėr Luarasi”, 25 classes, 674 students, 48 teachers. (Since last year operating in its own premises).

SHTIME

63.Secondary education center “Naim Frashėri”, 37 classes, 973 students, 71 teachers.

VITIA

64.Secondary education center “Kuvendi i Lezhės”, 62 classes, 1075 students, 112 teachers. Operating in five villages: Pozharan, Begunca, Vėrban, Smira and Gjylekare.

VUSHTRRI

65.Secondary education center “Muharrem Bekteshi”, 38 classes, 1075 students, 70 teachers.

66.Secondary school “Marin Beēikemi”, 55 classes, 1586 students, 85 teachers.



SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ DORMITORIES, CLOSED DOWN FOR ALBANIANS

1.Secondary school students’ dormitory in Prishtina (now turned into a police station).

2.The “Miladin Popoviq” secondary school students’ dormitory in Prishtina. Serb refugees housed in it now.

3.Secondary and university students’ dormitory in Mitrovica.

4.Dormitory of the medical school “Desa Tomoviq” in Mitrovica

5.Secondary and university students’ dormitory in Peja.

6.Secondary and university students’ dormitory “Sadik Stavileci” in Gjakova.

7.Secondary and university students’ dormitory in Prizren.

8.Secondary and university students’ dormitory in Gjilan.

9.Secondary school students’ dormitory in Kamenica.

10.Secondary school students’ dormitory in Kaēanik.

11.Secondary school students’ dormitory in Skėnderaj.



SECONDARY SCHOOL BUILDINGS WHERE SERB REFUGES HAVE BEEN HOUSED OR/AND THE BUILDINGS SERVE TO OTHER PURPOSES

1.Medical school “Dr Ali Sokoli” (“9 Maji”), Prishtina.

2.Technical school “28 Nėntori”, Prishtina.

3.Secondary school “7 shtatori” (formerly: workers training university, now turned into a clinic), Prishtina.

4.Medical school “Hysni Zajmi”, Gjakova.

5.School of economics “Dr Ali Hadri” (“M.Vukoviq”), (305 Serb refugees), Peja.

6.Technical school “Shaban Spahia”, (families of Serb refugees), Peja.

7.Secondary school of arts “Odhise Paskali” (Serb students of business “Braca Karic”, housed in it), Peja.

8.Special school for the blind (124 Serb refugees), Peja.

9.Secondary school “Naim Frashėri”, Shtime.

10.Secondary school “Fan S. Noli”, Podujeva.

11.Secondary school “Hivzi Sulejmani”, Fushė Kosova.

12.Secondary school “Muharrem Bekteshi”, Vushtrri.

13.Secondary school “Ramiz Sadiku”, Skėnderaj.

14.Secondary school “Ulpiana”, Lipjan.

15.Secondary school of agriculture “Zenel Hajdini” (school buildings and other accessory premises), Ferizaj.

16.Secondary school “Hasan Tahsini” (Nikolla Teslla”), Obiliq.

HIGHER EDUCATION

1.The University of Prishtina has shared the fate of primary and secondary schools in Kosova. Attacks at the Kosovar higher education began with the imposition of the so-called emergency measures (coercive administration) at the Clinic of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of the Medical Faculty. All the Albanian-language personnel and other staff were suspended. The Department of Surgery was to face the same measures very soon.

2.Emergency measures were introduced at the Medical Faculty (Official gazette 20/90; 26.09 1990). 90 per cent of the Albanian personnel (from academicians to nurses) were dismissed. The Medical Faculty was in this way virtually closed down.

3.The Serbian regime extended a new law on students enrolment for the 1991/92 academic year (Official Gazette No.28/91; 31.05.1991).

According to new legislation, the enrolment ratio was to be 1:1 for Serbs and Albanians (1500 Albanian and 1500 Serb freshmen). Albanians who had completed the secondary education that year outnumbered the Serbs with 9 to 1.

4.On 27 June 1991, emergency measures were introduced in all the faculties of the Prishtina University. All the Albanian administering personnel, deans, vice-deans, and others were ousted and Serbs were installed instead. A University teaching staff of 862 was dismissed soon, while 122 teachers and other personnel were dismissed on alleged redundancy reasons.

5.On 16 October 1991, the University of Prishtina was closed for Albanian students. Serb police were deployed in front of the faculties and other accessory buildings of the University. The University of Prishtina, with 7 high schools (teachers and technical training colleges) and 13 faculties has been ever since operating in make-shift classrooms and lecturing halls in private houses and other facilities of the community. (During the last 1996/97 academic year the Albanian-medium University had around 16.000 students, full-time and part-time).

HIGH SCHOOLS OF THE PRISHTINA UNIVERSITY:

(Note: A High School is a two-year university-level college. Such schools are commonly teachers training or engineering colleges)

1.Teachers Training College, Prishtina, 727 students,

2.Teachers Training College, Prizren, 709 students,

3.Teachers Training College, Gjakova, 345 students,

4.Teachers Training College, Gjilan, 421 students,

5.College of Economics, Peja, 271 students,

6.Engineering College, Ferizaj, 157 students,

7.Engineering College, Mitrovica, 350 students



FACULTIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PRISHTINA:

1.Faculty of Philosophy, Prishtina, 992 students,

2.Faculty of Philology, Prishtina, 1180 students

3.Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences , Prishtina, 478 students,

4.Faculty of Law, Prishtina, 1812 students,

5.Faculty of Economics, Prishtina, 3270 students,

6.Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Prishtina, 621 students,

7.Faculty of Electronic Engineering, Prishtina, 793 students,

8.Faculty i Mechanical Engineering, Prishtina, 370 students,

9.Medical Faculty, Prishtina, 1983 students,

10.Faculty of Arts, Prishtina, 188 students,

11.Faculty Mining and Metallurgy, Mitrovica, 154 students,

12.Faculty Physical Training (Sports), Prishtina, 322 students

13.Faculty of Agriculture, Prishtina, 408 students



RECTORATE, INSTITUTES, LIBRARIES, DORMITORIES OF THE PRISHTINA UNIVERSITY

1.Premises of Rectorate of the University of Prishtina,

2.The University and National Library,

3.Institute of Albanology

4. Institute of History,

5. Economic Institute,

6. Institute of Chemistry,

7. Institute of Livestock Raising and Veterinary, Prishtina,

8. Institute of Crops Processing and Saplings, Peja,

9. Institute of Agro-economics, Fushė-Kosova

10. Students complex (5 dormitories, 3 one-floored lodging barracks, the “25 Maji” students sports hall - all these are commonly referred to as “students’ town”)



The following major cultural and other institutions were closed down too:

1.”Kosova Filmi” (the only Kosovar movie production and distribution company)

2. The national ensemble of songs and dances “Shota”,

3.The Ensemble of Ballet of Kosova,

4.The “Collegium Cantorum” Ensemble,

5.The Albanian-language daily newspaper “Rilindja”,

6.The Publication Editions “Rilindja”,

7.Radio Prishtina and local radios in major Kosova towns,

8.The Television of Prishtina,



Premises and facilities related to education were closed and/and taken over by Serbs:

1.Premises of the Secretariat of Education, Science and Culture of Kosova,

2.Premises of the Council of Education of Kosova,

3.Premises of Bureau of Education of Kosova,

4.Premises of the Pedagogical Bureau of Kosova,

5.Premises of local bureaus of education in municipalities,

6.Premises of municipal secretariats of education



The following (major) sports facilities have been closed down:

Sports halls in Prishtina, Ferizaj, Mitrovica, Gjilan, Prizren, Gjakova, Peja. The only Children’s Books Publisher is Closed Down.

Pursuant to the decision no.203 of 11 July 1991 of the Serbian Parliament, emergency measures were imposed at the only children’s book publisher in the former Yugoslavia. The whole personnel of the Bureau for Textbook Publishers of Kosova was dismissed. For five years now this textbook publishers company has been closed pursuant to Serb laws.

In the beginning the primary spelling book (Abecedarium) was printed in Italy. It had to be smuggled in the country in exceptionally dangerous circumstances. A limited number of textbooks in Albanian for schoolchildren is being printed now in extremely grave conditions.

1.Pursuant to decisions No.400 - 20/91 and 400/15/91 of 20 February 1991 of the Serb Parliament, since January 1991, all the Albanians teaching with the 1st and 5th grade of primary schools and 1st year of secondary schools had their wages cut.

2.Pursuant to Decision No.400-41/91 of 7 March 1991, the whole secondary school teaching personnel in Albanian (around 5000 people) had their payment cut. .

3. Pursuant to Decision No.400-137/91 of 30 May 1991, the rest of the primary school teaching personnel (around 14.500 persons) had their wages/salaries cut.

4.Pursuant to Decision No. 400-211/91 of 18 November 1991, the funds for higher education of Kosova were cut.



What could be the measures for temporary normalization of the situation in Kosovar education

Full normalization of the situation in Kosova education could only occur with the settlement of the political status of Kosova. The current situation could be overcome if the issue is treated as pure educational matter, by circumventing or reducing political implications around it.

Within such a framework, 13 rounds of talks were held under the Geneva Conference with the mediation of

Ambassador Geert Ahrens. Later, under the mediation of the Vatican-based Saint Egidio Community, an agreement was reached which provided for conditions to removed the blockade from school premise and for an unconditional return of Albanian schoolchildren and pupils to their schools. An Accord on this matter was signed by presidents Dr.Ibrahim Rugova and Slobodan Milosevic. Regrettably, the Accord was never implemented to this day.

We hope you will wield your influence in finding an acceptable settlement so that Albanian pupils, students and teachers are allowed to return to their school facilities they were expelled from through the use of force. A temporary solution should be found to the issues without prejudging the settlement of the political status of Kosova.

Negotiations on such a goal could at last result in the following:

I

1.To bring to an end all repression against Albania school, pupils, students, teachers and other people involved in running Albanian-language education.

2.To allow Albanians access to education-related facilities, the ones they were in possession of earlier:

a)to immediately release the buildings of 35 primary schools and their ‘annex’ classes.

b) To release all the school buildings of secondary education the Albanians were expelled from, i.e. premises of 60 secondary schools and their accessory facilities: dormitories, libraries, sports halls (gyms), etc.

c) To release university premises in 7 high schools (teachers training and engineering colleges) and 13 faculties, as well as their accessory facilities: the University and National Library, the institutes, dormitories, dinning halls and canteens, sports halls, etc.

II

TEMPORARY NORMALIZATION OF FINANCING THE EDUCATION

A normalization of the financing the Kosova education could only be reached with a final settlement of the Kosova issue. However, a temporary solution to the matter could be found through: the taxes collected from the citizens and the contribution Kosovars have been paying, and their share in socially-owned production. An adequate fund could be earmarked for the Kosova Financing Council.

III

Restoration of normality in the Kosova Textbook Publishers Bureau by releasing its premises and the capital the Bureau used to possess.

IV

To allow a normal functioning of administering, professional and training institutions of education: the Pedagogical Bureau of Kosova, municipal educational councils, pedagogical and supervision services, etc.



Prishtina, August 12, 1997

Abdyl RAMAJ