Children of each group cluster in their own classrooms, or even in their own schools, where they follow their own course of instruction and learn subjects deemed appropriate for their heritage. But the U.S. Supreme Court doesn't rule in Bosnia, where segregation for Croatian and Muslim public school students started in some schools this fall before public criticism forced the segregation decree to be rescinded in November by the same Ministry of Education that introduced the practice. Proponents of segregation argue that the children have a right to study their own culture in their own language.
Opponents say that dividing students along ethnic lines dooms any chance of lasting peace.
Charlie Russo, professor and chair of educational administration at the University of Dayton, will travel to Bosnia in mid-December to take part with other experts in a roundtable effort to devise a policy or law to prevent ethnic segregation from becoming an accepted practice in Bosnian schools. But you can't perpetuate ethnic segregation in the schools because you'll never make any progress toward peace. The roundtable will be held Tuesday, Dec. 16. Participating with Russo and others will be Fahrudin Rizvanbegovic and Stevan Stevic, the ministers of education, culture and sport for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb entity, respectively. Panelists will discuss legislation, curriculum and current problems in the educational system of Bosnia and Herzegovina.