Religious education in state schools in Kosovo

Abstract

In Kosovo, debates about the role of religious education in the education system have been ongoing since it gained independence in 2008. Since that time, debates have continued over whether religious education should be part of the school curriculum as a separate subject. Given the limited existing research on this topic, this study aims to explore the extent and nature of religious education in state schools in Kosovo through an analysis of the national curriculum developed by the Ministry of Education. Due to the secular nature of education in the country, religious education is not part of the official curriculum in state schools. Even though religious education is not part of the curriculum in state schools, there are two courses that generally address religious matters: “Society and Environment” and “Citizenship Education.” These courses place greater emphasis on topics such as religious tolerance, religious groups, and different beliefs. Even though Kosovo, as a country, grants the right to learn and practice their religion to all religions freely, it seems that this right is not fully upheld within state schools. Religious education can only be conducted in such places as churches and mosques or in private schools/courses. It can be argued that the lack of religious education in public schools in Kosovo represents not only an educational gap in the religious education, but also an obstacle to the full realization of individual rights.