Ceremonial Meeting Marks Adoption of the Ten-Year Programme for Improving the Quality of Education in Bosnia-Podrinje Canton Goražde

Goražde, 8 July 2026 – The Ministry of Education, Youth, Science, Culture and Sport of Bosnia-Podrinje Canton Goražde, UNICEF and UNESCO held a ceremonial meeting on the occasion of the adoption of the ten-year Programme for Improving the Quality of Education in Bosnia-Podrinje Canton Goražde.

The Programme, finalized by the Government of Bosnia-Podrinje Canton Goražde in April 2026, represents an important step towards strengthening strategic planning in education, with a focus on improving access, quality, financing and data systems across all levels of education.

The development of the Programme is part of the broader education transformation process in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which began in 2022, when the competent education ministries in Bosnia and Herzegovina signed the Commitment Statement on Education Transformation. The Statement was prepared within the framework of the global Transforming Education Summit held in 2022 and served as a common framework for defining key measures to improve education in the administrative units across Bosnia and Herzegovina. This process is also grounded in the commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

The document was developed with the expert and technical support of UNESCO and UNICEF, in close cooperation with the European Union, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Council of Europe Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The process included the active participation of the working group through meetings and training programmes, as well as consultations with relevant education stakeholders across the Canton, whose contributions were incorporated into the final document.

“By adopting the Quality Improvement Programme, we have made one of the most important steps forward in the development of the education system in Bosnia-Podrinje Canton Goražde. This document will guide the development of all levels of education until 2035 through improving teaching quality, modernizing curricula, strengthening the competencies of teaching staff, digitalizing processes, and making significant investments in school infrastructure and STEM equipment. We are placing a particular emphasis on creating a safe and stimulating school environment, while strengthening support for the preservation of students’ mental health. Our goal is not only better education, but also to create generations of young people who are ready to respond to the challenges of modern society, the European labour market, and a future that demands knowledge, innovation and adaptability,” said Adisa Alikadić-Herić, Minister of Education, Youth, Science, Culture and Sport of Bosnia-Podrinje Canton Goražde.

“The adoption of the Programme represents an important milestone, but also the beginning of a demanding implementation process. Long-term planning in education is essential for moving from individual activities to a more coherent, strategic and sustainable approach to improving education, including better planning of the financial investments required,” said Marc Lucet, UNICEF Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“UNICEF congratulates the Ministry of Education, Youth, Science, Culture and Sport of Bosnia-Podrinje Canton Goražde, Minister Adisa Alikadić-Herić and the working group on finalizing this important Programme. This is an important milestone for education in the Canton, but also the beginning of the real work — turning priorities into action for children, teachers and schools. Long-term, costed and evidence-informed planning is essential if we want education reforms to be sustainable and to benefit every child. UNICEF remains committed to supporting the Canton in the next phase, including through policy development, monitoring and resource mobilization, as well as support to digital transformation in education.”

“By adopting this Programme, Bosnia-Podrinje Canton Goražde has shown that a shared vision of education transformation can be translated into concrete strategic policies. We are especially pleased that this Canton is the first in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to successfully complete this process, thereby setting an important example for other education authorities across the country. This achievement confirms the value of partnership, expert dialogue and evidence-based policymaking. UNESCO will continue to support education authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina in building quality, inclusive and resilient education systems, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4,” said Siniša Šešum, Head of the UNESCO Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Representatives of UNICEF and UNESCO congratulated the Ministry of Education, Youth, Science, Culture and Sport of Bosnia-Podrinje Canton Goražde, Minister Adisa Alikadić-Herić and the members of the working group on finalizing the Programme, particularly emphasizing the fact that Bosnia-Podrinje Canton Goražde is the first canton in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to fully complete this process. During the meeting, certificates of appreciation were presented to the Minister and members of the working group, and key education priorities and next steps in the implementation of the Programme were also discussed.