HIGH EDUCATION IN THE BALKANS AND THE INCLUSION OF WOMEN

Abstract

There is no doubt that education is undergoing series of changing during the last decade. However, one of its functions or missions remain unchanged – learning and literacy. During the 19th century, new independent and autonomous states appeared in the Balkans. Most of citizens of the newborn countries were uneducated. There was a great need of the new states for the educated people who would help in the further development of the countries. Thus, the need for the well-educated people imposed a necessity for creation of high education institutions in the Balkans. During the 19th century, first high educational institutions were formed in the Balkans. However, there was no room for acceptance of female at the newly formed universities. The reason was very simple. The societies in the Balkans were traditional and conservative. The role and the place of the women in such societies were connected with the house and the upbringing of the children. Thus, only young boys were admitted at the universities. Only the men were professors, as well. However, the process of modernization of the societies became unavoidable, even in the Balkans. At the end of 19th century, first girls were accepted as students at the universities in the region.
The aim of our presentation is to show the historical path of the development and the changes that have happened in high education in the Balkans and the inclusion women in the process.