The phenomenon of two schools under one roof – When apples and pears do not mix
The phenomenon of two schools under one roof – When apples and pears do not mix

Summary/Abstract: The phenomenon of two schools under one roof started and is only implemented on territories where the Croat–Bosniak War was waged. One of the main problems after this conflict was education for the returning population which was now a minority in their earlier place of living. The concept was first introduced in the multi ethnic town Stolac in 2000, and this practice was duplicated in Vitez and Vareš later. The phenomenon of two schools under one roof spread and includes fifty-two schools located in three primarily multi ethnic cantons Central Bosnia Canton (bos. SBK), Zenica – Doboj Canton (bos. ZDK) and Herzegovina - Neretva Canton (bos. HNK). The international community mostly condemns two schools under one roof, but the process of administrative unification is however met by resistance. The phenomenon of two schools under one roof was discussed in domestic courts from 2011 when an organization for providing legal assistance “Vaša prava BiH” launched lawsuits against Ministries of Education from Central Bosnia Canton and Herzegovina – Neretva Canton. The case which was launched in Mostar was decided by the Supreme Court in 2014 in favor of the plaintiff as it was concluded that the practice of two schools under one roof based on ethnic background constitutes discrimination. Recently the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina decided that the practice of two schools under one roof constitutes discrimination. This is a delicate problem where a concrete solution has to be made for the future of children, their education and the progress of this country. It is a question of time when this policy will be abolished, but the common ground shared by most people is that the practice of two schools under one roof has to stop soon, while it is still possible to do so.

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