Kosovo Case Study

1. Kosovo Case Study AferditaSpahiu, UNICEF Kosovo 19 October, Geneva

2. About Kosovo • Kosovo newly declared independent country • Political status pending on UN recognition • 83 countries recognize Kosovo, including 24 EU member states •  Population almost 2 m: 87 per cent K-Albanian 7 per cent K-Serb 1.8 per cent Roma, Ashkali & Egyptian 4.2 per cent Bosniak, Turks, Gorani & others

3. Some figures on education • Net enrolment rate for primary schools 88% • Less than 10% of children 3-6 y have access to early childhood education • Only 10 % of children with special needs attend school • Less than 75% of children who complete compulsory education continue to enrol in upper secondary school • 55% of K-Albanian girls and 40% of non-Serb minorities. Almost no Roma girl continues secondary education • 70% youth unemployment rate

4. Key findings of the study • Most of the Kosovar youth have rated education above average or better • Very small percentage rated poor or somewhat poor • Older youth are less enthusiastic about quality of education comparing to the younger ones

5. …most of Kosovars highly value education, because education is important: • for all aspects of life • preparing for a job • ensuring a better status in society • good citizenship and helping me develop this country • widening my perspectives

6. More education • 93 per cent of respondents request more education • 13-18 want more than 19-24 youth • high percentage of those who have dropped out from school reqeusted more education

7. … • Main factor that contributed to achievement of their desired level of education was "personal interest and motivation“ • For Serb youth: financial means is the main factor.

8. … • Neither of the subgroups mention politization as a factor that influenced their education attainment •  Youth very often expressed their concerns on the frailer to fully implement educationrefoms throughout Kosovo

9. How to achieve quality education • Their priorities are diverse and range from addressing the lack of space to school safety • A frustrating mismatch between the curriculum and exam content at the secondary level

10. Call for practical skills • Extreme poverty is twice the regional median • youth unemployment more than 70 percent • Kosovo’s labor market cannot absorb graduates

11. a higher proportion of youth have no confidence in government to deliver high quality services • youth dissatisfaction with government outpaces their dissatisfaction with education quality

12. Youth in both Albanian- and Serbian-majority areas express curiosity about one another’s lives • They suggest more forums for youth to discuss and compare their education concerns within and across communities

13. Youth across Kosovo want increased youth involvement to urgently address their concerns and ideas and meet their strong demand and expectations for high quality education

14. advocacy messages • The demand of the Kosovo adolescents and youth for improved quality of education is the last call for all stakeholders to strengthen the support in secondary and higher education • The economic growth and social inclusion are pending on investments in education, empowerment and participation of youth

15. Follow up plans • The Kosovo Case Study will be translated into local languages • Publication and dissemination of the study • Round table discussions on the findings of the study and recommendations • Opportunities for review of the existing and ongoing programmes: CFS, Violence Prevention in Schools, Youth Innovations Lab etc.