The education system in Bosnia and Herzegovina had to be rebuilt from scratch following the end of the Bosnian War. The war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992-1995) led to a significant shortage of teachers and many untrained educators in the subsequent years. Moreover, many initially temporary measures that were introduced immediately after the war—such as separate schools and curricula for each ethnicity—have now been in place for almost 30 years. This has not only negatively impacted the quality of education in the country but also poses a challenge to peaceful coexistence. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, students are often not only physically separated by ethnicity, but the content of their education also differs—especially in subjects like history, which reinforces divisions within the population. This is particularly true as each ethnicity has its own narrative about victims and perpetrators during the Yugoslav Wars.
Therefore, the work of Step by Step is of critical importance. Step by Step is the leading organization for the professional development of teachers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The organization offers training, provides teaching materials, connects educators, and recognizes good practices. Furthermore, the work of Step by Step helps teachers impart skills such as critical thinking and constructive dialogue to their students, which are essential competencies for peaceful coexistence and greater social justice.
Step by Step