Serbian textbooks revised in Kosovo

The change was made under the pretext that certain content allegedly does not promote the principles of freedom and democracy.

Serbian Ministry of Education stated that this is an attempt by the government of Kosovo to remove content incompatible with interests of the Kosovo authorities.

Teachers in Serbian parts claim they will stick to the curriculum supported by the Serbian Ministry of Education.

Poem Simonida by Milan Rakic and play entitled The Battle of Kosovo by Ljubomir Simovic have been removed from the Serbian textbooks in Kosovo due to having problematic content and failing to promote the principles of freedom and democracy, it was said in a statement by the Committee for Review of Teaching Material in Serbian, formed by the Kosovo Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Authorities in Pristina found history and geography textbooks to be objectionable, too, because they present Kosovo as an integral part of Serbia. The Committee suggested music teachers should prepare lessons that would cover the national anthem of Kosovo.

At the start of this school year, the Independent Committee for Review of Teaching Material in Serbian, established in 2009, decided that all Serbian pupils in Kosovo shall learn Albanian, in addition to The Battle of Kosovo by Ljubomir Simovic and Simonida by Milan Rakic being removed. According to Committee's report, the poem contains an inappropriate verse that goes "Arbanas (Albanian) stabbed you in the eyes."

Cedomir Antic, a historian, said that such decision was expected and that it clearly shows the very concept of multiethnic Kosovo is gone for good.

"Please try to imagine a free, scientifically sound curriculum, founded in the spirit of rationalism, that would leave out certain events that undoubtedly took place," he said.

"These alterations show the uncertainty of Albanian nationalism at this moment: the Committee cannot decide whether the battle of Kosovo was a great battle of their nation spearheaded by descendants of the Nimani and Nemanjici families, and an Albanian assimilated by the Serbs, or it never happened at all", Antic said.

Report on the teaching content in Serbian was to be presented in Pristina, however the official presentation was postponed and none of the Committee members was willing to make a statement before the report had been presented.