Vitez: Differences as a Tool for Segregation

„Očigledne“ razlike

“Our parents and schools fill our heads with facts; while the fostering of critical thinking remains absent from our education.”

Despite being of the same age, the young people living in the municipalities of the Srednjobosanski and Hercegovacko-neretvanski cantons often follow different teaching plans. A deep ethnic segregation primarily among Bosniaks and Croats remains ever present.

This seemingly temporary solution for the post-war period still remains in use even 20 years after the end of the conflict. None of the plans to reunite the schools have so far been successful.

One of the municipalities still following the “two schools under one roof” system is Vitez. This small town of approximately 30,000 inhabitants in the very heart of Bosnia-Herzegovina divides its youngest generations according to their names, by their native languages and through terms such as ethnicity.

The armed conflict between the Army of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) that broke out on the territory of Vitez, left a large number of people dead, tortured and sexually abused. Today Vitez is not officially divided, but the continued existence of “two schools under one roof” segregates the youngest, drawing new lives into the conflict that ended 20 years ago.

Children – our future judges
Children – our future judges
Common, independent thinking
Common, independent thinking
Education is not for school, but for life
Education is not for school, but for life
Which alphabet do you use?
Which alphabet do you use?

Emir Redžić is a Balkan Diskurs trained correspondent from Vitez, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Related posts

SARA-Srebrenica: Don’t Wait for Change, Initiate It
When it all began 20 years ago upon founding the association, they didn't know what their reach would be, what challenges they would face, or how much support or controversy they would encounter along the way. It took the courage of a few like-minded individuals who wished for positive change and shared a common vision to make life better in Srebrenica.
Educators During the War: A Struggle They Lead with Pencils and Words
The citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) know well that war is the worst circumstance that can befall a nation. The people of BiH could not avoid the unfortunate events from 1992 to 1995.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *



Winner of the Intercultural Achievement Recognition Award by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs

Post-Conflict Research Center
Join our mailing list