EU in Kosovo: All children should be treated equally

“All children, regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religion, needs and abilities, or social background, should be treated equally,” said today the EU Ambassador in Kosovo, Ambassador Tomas Szunyog, at the occasion of the International Children’s Day.

“This is particularly relevant when it comes to education,” he stressed.

Quality education of children with special needs and different abilities remains a challenge for all education systems that aim to offer equal opportunities to all children, including in Kosovo.

“In line with the positive provisions of the Kosovo Law on Education in Municipalities, it is crucial to continue building an inclusive and non-discriminatory education system, whereby all children would be extended the same opportunity to develop, cherish their identities in a multi-ethnic environment, and become fully integrated members of the society,” said Szunyog.

"It is regrettable that we continue to witness systematic segregation of children in some educational institutions in Kosovo, which mostly affects children from Kosovo Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities.”

The EU continues to contribute to the development of inclusive education in Kosovo. From 2007 to 2022 it has invested more than EUR 85 million in improving the quality of primary, secondary, and higher education, education infrastructure, support for the education of children from non-majority communities, teacher training, and vocational education.

In addition, between 2014 and 2021 Kosovo has benefited from more than EUR 12,5 million through the EU’s ERASMUS+ programme that offers mobility and cooperation opportunities in higher, adult and vocational education and training.