Croatian groups in Serbia call for wider enrollment in mother tongue education

The Croatian National Council (HNV) in Serbia and the association “Naša djeca” called on parents in Vojvodina to opt for full education in the Croatian language when enrolling their children in primary and secondary schools.

Around 500 pupils attend such classes each year in Subotica and the village of Monoštor in northern Bačka, CE Report quotes HINA.

“Our promotional slogan this year is again ‘Put the pieces together in your children’s upbringing’, because within the Croatian-language education system we have nurseries, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools,” said HNV member responsible for education Nataša Francuz at a press conference.

She added that textbooks, quality teaching, extracurricular activities and covered transport costs for pupils are all provided, along with numerous other incentives. She stressed that classes follow the curriculum of the Republic of Serbia and that pupils face no restrictions when enrolling in secondary schools after completing primary education.

She highlighted that trips and summer holidays organised with the support of Croatia and Croatian associations in Vojvodina are of particular value.

In schools where full instruction cannot be organised, representatives of HNV and “Naša djeca” recommended choosing the elective subject “Croatian language with elements of national culture”, which is available in several schools in Vojvodina, and more recently in Belgrade.

Around 500 pupils opt for this type of instruction each year, meaning that, across both models of education, a total of about 1,000 children receive schooling in their mother tongue.

Last year, 44 first-grade pupils began full education in Croatian, while around 70 new students enrolled in the first year of three secondary schools in Subotica.

Full education in the Croatian language in Vojvodina began in schools in Subotica in 2002 and is now also conducted in Monoštor.