ETHNIC DISTANCE BETWEEN PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE SKOPJE REGION

Abstract

As a part of the democratic tendencies of our society. the idea that that no child should study in any language other than the one it speaks at home is seen as imperative, because otherwise. it would imply that the language spoken at home is somehow inferior. This concept is implemented in the constitution of the Republic of North Macedonia as well as the law for primary and secondary education. The Republic of North Macedonia is a multicultural and a multiconfessional society in which children of different ethnic groups study in their native language either In different schools or in the same school. but in different shifts. In this paper we will try to establish to what extent the ethnically segregated society affects the ethnic distance between students from different ethnic groups, specifically their read iness to accept certain social relations with the ethnic other. In the process of building his or her ethnic identity. childhood has an essential role. The process of differentiating from the ethnic and religious other takes place through traditions, culture and language. in which the "other" is also a part of the process. The existing barriers between students are more easily overcome through direct contact between students. whether these differences are based on a difference in language, religion or other elements of culture. Ethnic segregation in the educational process not only disables the creation of direct contact between students, but also between all other participants of the educational process, such as teachers and parents. The key question which is asked is whether the ethnic segregation in the primary education in the Republic of North Macedonia increases the ethnic distance between ethnic groups, a phenomenon which can cause the disintegration of Macedonian society in the long run.