Boris Jokic, a Croatian educationalist and one of the main authors of a much-discussed education reform programme in an expert group removed from the project in 2016, was a guest on N1 Novi Dan, where he talked about the state of education in Croatia.

The education reform programme, dubbed Curricular reform, was part of the education strategy adopted in the parliament in 2014 by the then centre-left government. After the 2016 parliamentary election, won by the centre-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) in coalition with the Most party, the new government, under Prime Minister Tihomir Oreskovic, attempted to change parts of the programme. After voicing his opposition to the proposed changes, Jokic, along with the entire expert group in charge of the programme, was removed from the project, which led to nation-wide protests. The project continued with a new expert group, chosen by Education Minister Blazenka Divjak of the centre-right HDZ government.

When you announced the curricular reform, you had to break illusions that this would turn the system around within a year. What is the status of this now?

It has not been healthy for a long time. The most primitive kind of daily politics got involved, and they need quick victories. A systemic education reform requires time, patience, and wisdom, none of which does Croatia have in the political sphere. Nothing positive, or negative should be expected here. These are cosmetic changes, and nothing bad will come of them.

How far behind more developed countries are we?

We are not behind them in the proposal of the fundamental reform. When you look at the European Commission’s report on the subject, the recommendations are that other countries follow the Croatian example of creating the curricular reform programme. There is no consensus because a wider perspective is needed, a long-term perspective. These types of perspectives do not suit Croatian politicians. Those who come into power only think in one, two year intervals.

What kind of a society are we currently? Is critical thinking encouraged?

I believe so. If Croatia is a pluralistic society, views that do not attack someone are acceptable. It is another issue whether we are creating an environment which prepares young people to live in the 21st century. On top of critical thinking, we need to make sure that young people learn to solve problems, make decisions, show innovation, know how to communicate and cooperate even with those they disagree with… Croatian education does not do any of that.

How much is our education system a trigger for emigration?

It is, to a significant degree. There is potential for reform within our system. But the idea that you will have more opportunities in a different society triggers a part of the population to start thinking about leaving Croatia. That is understandable, but sad. This could be a very successful society, a prosperous country, a country of critical thought. Croatia now is a country where political elites are eroding the fundamentals of democracy.

What about the status of teachers in Croatia?

Those who work in education are systemically marginalised. They are not allowed to create processes which they play a part in.

It does not matter if we take faster or slower steps, as long as they make sense. The changes in education need to be well thought out, and, what is missing now, they need to be human. If the human contact is missing, everything losses meaning. I want to appeal to everyone to not neglect these aspects of the curricular reform, especially those concerning the grading system, talented pupils, and children with difficulties. These are our weak spots and I ask everyone to include them in their proposals.

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