Failure to Adopt the Qualifications Framework Stalls Education Reform: The Academic Community Once Again Pays the Highest Price

At its 117th session held yesterday, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina did not adopt the proposal submitted by the Ministry of Civil Affairs to approve the Qualifications Framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As a result, another important opportunity has been missed to improve the country's education system, facilitate the recognition of diplomas awarded in Bosnia and Herzegovina, enhance citizens' mobility, and align domestic qualifications with European standards.

Unfortunately, the Decision failed to secure the required majority, once again postponing a reform that would have delivered the greatest benefits to students, the academic community, the economy, and citizens. The Qualifications Framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina was developed over nearly two years through the joint efforts of representatives of the education authorities of Republika Srpska, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the cantons within the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Rectors' Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina, education agencies, and international experts, under the coordination of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Throughout the drafting process, all prescribed procedures were followed, including public consultations and inter-institutional coordination.

It should be recalled that the Draft Decision on the Adoption of the Qualifications Framework had already been considered at the 106th session of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, held on 23 March 2026, and again at its 107th session on 1 April 2026.

By adopting this document, Bosnia and Herzegovina would have linked its national qualifications system to the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (EQF) and the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA). This would have simplified the recognition of diplomas, enhanced the mobility of students and academic staff, and increased the competitiveness of the country's higher education institutions and economy.

The consequences of not having a Qualifications Framework are already being felt by the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In a number of countries, difficulties in the recognition of diplomas awarded in Bosnia and Herzegovina are associated with the fact that the country still lacks a clear, reliable, and comparable national qualifications framework. As a result, many citizens wishing to pursue further education or build careers abroad continue to face unnecessary administrative obstacles.

By failing to adopt this document, Bosnia and Herzegovina has also missed an opportunity to fulfil one of the European Commission's important recommendations and to bring its education system closer to European standards.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina remains committed to continuing efforts to secure the adoption of the Qualifications Framework, as this is a reform that serves the interests of students, universities, employers, and society as a whole.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs believes that every student has the right to have their diploma internationally recognized, every university has the right to be part of the European Higher Education Area, and every citizen has the right to have their qualifications recognized.

Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot build a knowledge-based society or retain its young people if it continues to postpone reforms that open the door to the European education area and labour market. Every further delay represents a missed opportunity—not only for individuals, but for the development and prosperity of society as a whole.