Author(s):
1. Hatidza Jahic, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract:
This paper aims to show the evolution of the educational reforms in transition process of three countries, i.e. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Latvia. Role of education in development process nowdays is non-contestable and has been in focus of contemporary theories of economic and social development. Parallel to this, transition process has been in focus of researchers more then two decades, disscussing the structural changes in these economies. However, most of developing countries today are still in ongoing transition process that was marked by main principles and ideas of Washington consensus based on neoliberal free-market ideology. On the other side, there are successful high – performing transition economies where educational reforms have been successful. Main goal of this paper is to identify an existing pattern of educational reforms in chosen transition economies, including changes in system, policy, institutional framework etc. These countries are involved and their economies are integrated, globalized and transition economies as well, making this an important and relevant issue to observe. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Latvia are at different stages of transition, European union integration and educational reform process making the research and its findings relevant and usefull for policy makers. Paper will also provide a review of academic literature that stresses the role of education in process of economic development as well as the issue of transition and reforms in education. General research methods we use are comparative analysis and case study, based on World Bank, UNDP, UNESCO and OECD statistics, as well as data available from official statistical offices in respective countries. The key results of this work are to emphasize the necessity of education reforms planning and management in transition policies and analyzing the experiences of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Latvia.

Key words:
education, transition, development, reforms,

Date of abstract submission:
22.01.2014.

Conference:
REDETE 2014 - Researching Economic Development and Entrepreneurship in Transition Economies