A Fence - Bringing School Communities Together

Interethnic conflicts, studying in different ethnic shifts, fights and disagreements among the students are all problems from the past. The vocational school “Niko Nestor” and the gymnasium “Ibrahim Temo” in Struga became infamous after the incidents made headlines in all media in Macedonia. Today, a new fence surrounding the yard in which the two schools are located is giving a new chance for interethnic coexistence and cohabitation.

Representatives of the international community, including OSCE and USAID, were actively involved as mediators in resolving the problem in the high schools to stop the division of students along ethnic lines. Several meetings were called in order to have some input on what to do about the problem and share some practical solutions. The security and safety of all students was a top priority for the schools and local community, particularly after the parents complained that the increasing number of fights corresponded with the election period in the country and the children were abused for political purposes of the parties. The final outcome of the intense debate of the school management, local community and mediators was to build a new fence to deter the crossings of the unwelcomed visitors in the schools.

In coordination with the US Embassy in Skopje and USAID, PEP started to work with the two high schools in Struga for building a fence that would improve the safety and security of students following the instances of interethnic conflict in the past few years. The initial activities started in 2009/2010. PEP completed the renovations of the rear side of the fence in spring 2010. Due to a technical delay with issuance of the building permit for the front fence of the schools, the construction was temporary delayed, but resumed as soon as all necessary documents were issued.
Now the new fence surrounding the schools is 725 metres long and1.8 meters high, with two main entrances with reception houses, directing the movement of students, two side entrances and one rear entrance for the city sport hall. Upon request of schools, PEP equipped the two schools with specially designed independent surveillance systems. In addition, each school also has security cameras for video surveillance of the yard. The closed circuit system and identification of all school visitors will prevent any unwanted people from entering the school yard and school buildings.

One of the advantages of this project lies in its inclusivity of all community and educational structures and in giving an equal voice to all. Now, it is
up to the effective community participation to break down the “mental” barrier that separates the schools from the communities they serve.
Back in the school yard, the children continue their everyday student life. Marks, quizzes, tests, Facebook, their main topics for discussion, but not a word of the multiethnic misunderstandings and conflicts.

Previous News: 2011; 2010; 2009; 2008; 2007;