Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is in South East Europe. It is bordered by Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro. It has got a population of around four million and projection for 2025 is 4.5 million. Percentage of urban population is 45 percent.
In 1992 BiH declared independence from the former Yugoslavia. The Dayton agreement of 1995 brought the war finally to an end when it was agreed to retain BiH’s international boundaries and create a joint multi-national and democratic government. The general elections are held every four years. The structure of government in BiH, however, remains very complex. In addition to this State level government, there is a second tier of government comprising two entities: Federation of BiH and the Republika Srpska, each with its own law. There is also the internationally supervised district of Brčko, which sits between the two entities; and the Federation of BiH is divided into 10 Cantons, each with its own government. The Office of The High Representative (OHR) was established to monitor implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) maintain peace and stability throughout the country and have recently started phasing out its mission.
It is difficult to establish accurate figures about the economy because of the above structure, and also the prevalence of a large black economy. Unemployment stands at around 40 percent and GDP per capita is approx USD 5,500. six percent of GDP is allocated to education.
The war shattered economic and social structures in BiH completely. The education sector is in somewhat better shape: 75 percent of all schools have been reconstructed and refurbished since the war, enrolment rates are high, and pupil-teacher ratios remain within acceptable limits. However, the quality of educational provision and the content of the curriculum varies markedly between the Entities, Cantons and Municipalities.
Higher education is traditionally perceived as very important and parents are ready to invest in education of their children.
The operating context in BiH is very complex. In education sector this means dealing with 12 Ministries of Education on cantonal and entity levels and BiH Ministry of Civil Affairs that has a role of coordinating body. Teacher education is almost entirely theoretical, focusing on methodology with very little classroom practice. The Pedagogical Institutes facilitate in-service training for practicing teachers. There is a large number of international agencies engaged in education reform work in BiH.
In BiH education is compulsory from age six to 15 and is conducted in primary schools. Secondary education is conducted in general and technical schools and lasts for three-four years. Students from general secondary schools take a Matura exam at the end of their study and can then move on to take university entrance exam. Students graduating in technical subjects obtain a diploma.
Numbers of students at institutions of higher education is 85,000 while there are 165,000 students at secondary schools.
There are eight publicly funded universities in BiH. There is a growing number of international secondary schools and private universities, some of them accredited by British and American Universities. Some national schools offer international programmes such as A-level, IGCSE or IB.
Education Sector of the BiH Ministry of Civil Affairs has been working on collecting data for ERIC-NARIC database as well as on facilitating the process of diploma recognition. BiH has signed the Bologna declaration to foster developments in higher education in an EU context. BiH has also signed the EU Memorandum for LLL (Life Long Learning) in the framework of the Stability Pact.
Historically, the most widely taught second language at BiH schools has been English. English has continued to be viewed as a language to aid students in obtaining access to information and technology, achieving broader academic goals, and opening up a broad range of professional opportunities.
The UK education is very much valued. BiH higher education institutions would be interested to collaborate with UK institutions in the preparation of joint degree programmes, especially masters and PhD programs. There is also a potential market for UK degrees since there is a sustained demand amongst young professionals for graduate and postgraduate studies with direct career relevance. However, UK's fees for international students still remain an obstacle for many BiH students and most of the education enquiries British Council BiH receives relate to funding opportunities.
In the meantime, distance learning opportunities seem to be an increasingly attractive alternative option. Students are ready to pay for their professional development, but usually not willing to leave their jobs. Multinational banks are offering a selection of career development loans aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students.
There is no significant network of educational agents that can support the in-country delivery contracts with major UK providers of Distance Learning courses.
US with its internationally recognised exams and significant scholarship funds is our main competitor in BiH. US Educational Advising Center (USEAC) in BiH has been established in September 2005 as a project of World University Service BiH
British Council BiH was established in 1996. It has got one office in Sarajevo, the country capital. The office is situated in a pleasant residential area, just outside the city business centre.
We provide young learners and professionals in Bosnia and Herzegovina with access to up-to-date information, including UK education, through our Learning and Information Centre.
British Council BiH aims to establish long-term programme collaboration between Tuzla Canton Ministry of Education and Buckinghamshire Local Education Authority. These two authorities have been sharing and developing educational experience and expertise at all levels within a range of educational practice, including strategic education policy and school management structures since 2005.
In cooperation with the BiH Ministry of Civil Affairs we started coordinating Global Gateway project for BiH secondary schools in December 2006.
We administer and promote FCO Chevening scholarships programme, which enables approximately eight young people to follow their postgraduate studies in the UK each year.
From 2004 we have been working with state-level institutions to enhance the English language skills of civil servants and other employees through our Blended Learning Project.
British Council BiH administers Cambridge ESOL suite, IELTS as well as examinations for a range of international professional bodies, universities and colleges.
In January 2007 the British Council, in consortium with European Profiles, was awarded the EU VET III project. The overall objective of this project is to support BiH’s economic and social development through further reform of the VET system in the light of the EU policy related to the Lisbon Strategy with the purpose to enhance and consolidate VET quality and effectiveness with an orientation towards the EU Copenhagen process.
The British Council will continue to be working with local bodies and individuals, and in the context of the Lisbon, Bologna and Copenhagen agreements to build skills for employment and for international engagement and mobility. Through education and training opportunities and through support for English language development, we are helping to develop the capacity for sound economic development and international engagement.
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