The Coalition of NGOs for the Protection of Children (KOMF) organized a symbolic public activity in Prishtina on September 1 under the title “What Am I Carrying in My Schoolbag Besides Books?”, drawing attention to the challenges faced by children and students in Kosovo’s schools.
As part of the initiative, 30 schoolbags were placed in a central Prishtina square, symbolizing the different burdens and challenges children may carry with them in addition to their schoolbooks.
Donjeta Kelmendi of KOMF said the activity was intended as a message to both municipal and central institutions to take greater action to address problems affecting children.
She said the first day of the new school year should be an occasion to wish students success, but also an opportunity to remind institutions of the challenges many children face.
Among the issues highlighted by KOMF were violence in schools, lack of inclusion for children with disabilities, online violence, child abuse, insufficient support for students and children from parents, excessive pressure on children, peer violence, child poverty and child labor.
Kelmendi argued that institutions have so far failed to do enough to address these problems.
“Based on the research conducted by the Coalition for the Protection of Children, including the Child Rights Scorecard, we consider that not enough has been done,” she said.
She said greater efforts were needed at both the municipal and central levels, including by the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation.
KOMF stressed that improving the quality of education must go hand in hand with protecting children’s well-being and health.
“Children must be protected and must learn in school environments that are child-friendly, accessible, safe, inclusive and supportive,” Kelmendi said.
The organization called for greater investment and stronger institutional measures to ensure that schools in Kosovo provide not only education, but also safe and supportive environments where children can learn and develop.
