Rashman Jashari threatens to paralyze the place with strikes because of Kamenica chairman

The United Education, Science and Culture Union of Kosovo has indicated that the new school year will begin with strikes in Kamenica following the decision by the mayor of this municipality, Central Kastrati, to close 19 schools.

According to him, there has been a lot of tension from meetings that have been held with parents and teachers.

Jashari has also stated that if Kastrat's decision to close schools in Kamenica, the SBASK will react through strikes and prevent that from happening.

I wish the troubles were smaller, but I'm saying publicly that just as it happened during the summer when Mr. Kastrati tried to meet with his parents, teachers and students, and there was a lot of tension at those meetings, I'm afraid seeing parents, students and teachers that Kastrat is not pulling away from his well-planned idea, could even come to strain the situation of the potential crash we don't want. But let Kastrati know that we will react as we know, there will be strikes and this is not our fault, because, I'm saying Kastrati should have even asked for the central level that only in Kamenica to close schools, Kastrati as the choice of those people would have had to protect and say no, and how much more when we have information and are sure that the Government of Kosovo, which went to the budget for 2019 has set up sufficient means for the existing number of education in Kosovo, so I have also got to have it.

He has even said that if schools are closed, the strike could escalate to the central level.

We are aware that the day's number of students is getting smaller, but it's not a matter of bringing a decision to it without answering what is left over with teachers and what about the pupils. Who's going to provide those students because the school doesn't last a day two, but more and I'm saying, Kamenica's gonna have a strike. I am afraid that the strike can escalate even at the level of the country because the practice of trade unions in the world, and the SBASK is to solidify with our colleagues and I believe that even our colleagues everywhere in Kosovo will demand that we have strikes on the level of the country showing solidarity with their colleagues in Kamenica, but also by opposing the idea of closing schools in Kosovo, because this idea can then spread to other municipalities and we will have a lot of trouble”, he said.

Otherwise, 19 schools are expected to close in Kamenica in September, according to the decision by the head of this municipality, Kastrati remains due to poor hygiene.

Speaking of politicisation in education, he has said the education sector in Kosovo is highly politicised and this politicisation has occurred through each government mandate.

Jashari speaking of the benefits and disadvantages of any government so far in Kosovo, says politics has damaged the education system.

I am firmly saying that school policy is very present and that politics has greatly damaged the educational system in Kosovo”, he says.

According to him, retired educators are not being allowed to complete the school year, although they have retired, as political parties are aiming for those countries to be fought by their partners.

The SBASK chairman on the other hand has said he does not favour any political party, but will always be with that government that will work to improve the country's educational system.

According to him, it is easy to prove that he is not with any party, since none of his children are employed even though they have completed their schooling.