07 April 2015
07.04.2015, Skopje
OMBUDSMAN’ PRESS RELEASE REGARDING THE HIGH SHOOL STUDENTS’ PROTEST
OMBUDSMAN’ PRESS
Having observed the situation in the education and the protests of the high school students in relation to the novelties in the Graduation exam and the external testing, as well as having acted upon a complaint submitted by high school students and parents of students, the Ombudsman submitted information to the Minister of Education with proposal for undertaking measures.
According to the Ombudsman, in order to have qualitative and sustainable modifications in any sphere of life, in particular in the field of education, one should make a comprehensive analysis of the situation in general. The modifications should not be adopted rapidly without consulting the broader public; on the contrary, it should be done in a transparent way, through public debate, involving all parties, among whom the youth, aiming towards comprehensive novelties, mutually acceptable, with benefits for everyone concerned, the students, the teachers and the society as a whole.
In no case one should forget the fact that students are directly concerned with the reforms in the educational process which affect their growth and development of the personality. On the other side, introducing reforms in the education with new manners of implementation without consultation, communication and a dialogue with the youth who are directly involved in it, makes them feel less important, unnecessary although they are concerned with them and bear the consequences.
That is why the Ombudsman recommends to the relevant ministry to seriously pay attention to the remarks and opinions of the high school students, to respect them as subjects, and in direct discussions with them to hear their stances related to the reforms in the education. Only in such way, through dialogue and communication with everyone, one could expect constructive and sustainable changes which would contribute towards better education.
The Ombudsman recommends consistent respect of the principle the best interest of the child, the right to freedom of thought and freedom of expression for all the issues related to the child, the right to participation and practice of dialogue which would not leave space for manipulation of the children and youth, at the same time paying greater attention to all their stances in accordance with the legislation and international documents signed by the Republic of Macedonia.
Department for Public Relations
OMBUDSMAN