OSCE Kosovo Mission builds new school roof in Viti/Vitina

PRISTINA, 18 July 2003 - The rebuilding of a school in Viti/Vitina municipality serving the primary and secondary educational needs of Kosovo Serb and Roma children in Vrbovac/Urbofc has been completed with funding provided by the OSCE.

Through a grant from the OSCE's Small Investment Minorities Fund (SIMF) the school received a new roof. From now on, over 300 primary and secondary students from surrounding communities will benefit from a fully functioning school.

"The right to have as good an education as possible is a basic human right, and having the proper school building allows children to attend lessons in a healthy and clean environment," said Sarah Hilding, Head of the OSCE Office in Gjilan/Gnjilane.

The SIMF was established by the Ministry for Development Co-operation of the Netherlands in collaboration with the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. It aims to ensure a dignified future for all ethnic communities in Kosovo and support the integration of smaller communities into society.

The municipal Department of Education in Viti/Vitina also contributed with 10% of the budget and will be involved in developing programmes and activities to bring youth of all communities together.

Through such confidence building measures, the OSCE promotes reconciliation and tolerance, which are important to the integration of communities and building a democratic society.