The general conclusion of the survey “Human Rights in Elementary Education – Theory or Practice”, is that the conflicts of children of different ethnic backgrounds, segregation of Roma children in some schools, violence, extremist and radical groups of children and other problems point out that children get little or no knowledge about human rights, civic education and fundaments of democracy by the education system.
The survey was conducted by Zagreb Human Rights Centre between June 2008 and May 2009, in 24 elementary schools in six cultural regions in Croatia. About two dozen researchers and associates participated in the survey.
According to Tin Gazivoda, the Director of the Centre, students are best informed about terms related to children rights, and least about democratic citizenship, participation in decision-making processes, rule of law, social power, cultural sensitivity, etc.
Over one half of students in the eight grades believe that the school has made little, if any contribution to develop their interest for developments in the society and didn't develop their interest to assist the socially vulnerable population or motivate them for voluntary work.
Nearly one half of eight-graders believe that their education has done little to prepare them to resolve their problems in a non-violent way or critical thinking.
Among teachers, 84 percent believe that one of the most important of the education system is to prepare the students to be active citizens, and two thirds say that the education for democratic society should start as early as possible and that it was the primary task of the family.
The survey covered the text-books used in elementary schools – Our Nature and Society, Croatian Language, History and Religious Education. According to experts, they do not collide with human rights, but the contents present existence of certain "taboo areas".
Minorities and marginal groups are not included in the text-books and the actual presentations of ethnic groups rarely refer to groups that exist in Croatia (Serbs, Roma, Bosniaks). Disabled persons are rarely mentioned and the text-books avoid controversial and socially sensitive topics like the recent past and stigmatized health conditions. The views in religious education are directed towards a single belief system and worldview.
Gazivoda says that most parents believe that it is important for the students to be satisfied with their school and that there was care for students with special needs. They also rate the sense of order in the school and active participation in solution for school problems high on their list of preferences, while they rated the number of students that finished with A-average grade rather low on their list of indicators of a good school. (Source: Zamirzine)
