07.09.2007

Books published in 2006 by the ABA and the Kosovo Education Center: A Guide for Children's Rights Committees in Schools; a poetry and prose book - We are Flowers, We are Birds; and a book focused on children's rights – We Have No Vote, but We Do Have Our Rights.

An April 2007 survey of primary and middle school teachers and Ministry of Education officials in Kosovo reveals that the three ABA Rule of Law Initiative-funded books introduced into schools last December have become valuable tools for civics teachers throughout Kosovo. 

In December 2006, the Rule of Law Initiative worked closely with the Kosovo Education Center (KEC) in the development, publishing, promotion, and distribution of three books for primary and middle school students in Kosovo: "A Guide for Children’s Rights Committees in Schools," a poetry and prose book titled "We are Flowers, We are Birds," and a book focused on rights titled "We Have No Vote, but We Do Have Our Rights."  These books emphasize civics, law, and human rights. They were developed to fill a gap in the current school curriculum and to increase the level of awareness of children and teachers on child rights and the law. 

The books were distributed to all primary and middle schools in Kosovo, representing 324,124 students from the ethnic Albanian, Bosnian, Croatian, Roma, Serb, and Turkish communities.

Based on the results of a KEC survey, teachers have incorporated the books into their civics curriculum, regularly using lessons from the books to teach the concepts of children and human rights.  Educational officials called the books “very useful and valuable for advancing the teaching of human rights and supporting teachers of civic education” and have credited the books with helping “to establish a better relationship” between students and teachers.

KEC has also credited the introduction of the Rule of Law Initiative funded books, and thus the concept of teaching children rights, with spearheading the creation of a Kosovo-wide advisors network for child rights. This network includes child rights officers, trainers, educational inspectors, and school committees for child rights protection. According to the KEC survey results, these books have helped to improve children’s lives in schools, in their homes, and in their communities.  For example, school children who were surveyed in Gjakova stated that these books have moved their school to set up a children’s rights committee which holds monthly meetings with the children, their parents and their teachers. According to the Gjakova school children,  this committee, helps to better identify school problems and responsibilities and has taught them the importance of their role in defending children’s rights.