Sarajevo, November 29, 2024 – Everything today is based on the economy; the belief that muscles or sweat create profit is a misconception. Profit is generated through knowledge, innovation, and increased productivity. Educators must continuously improve and engage in lifelong learning. This was conveyed at a recent round table on "Increasing the Quality and Importance of Secondary Vocational Education and Training – Curricular Challenges and Quality of Work-Based Learning" organized by the Public Institution Institute for the Development of Pre-University Education of the Sarajevo Canton. On this occasion, representatives from entrepreneurs, the ministry of economy, craft chambers, and business chambers, as well as directors of secondary vocational schools and representatives from the Employers' Association of the Sarajevo Canton shared their experiences on the implementation of vocational-theoretical subject curricula and identified potential directions for further development.

One of the speakers was Muhamed Pilav, a member of the Board of Directors and one of the founders of the Knowledge Olympics Foundation. He emphasized that the reform processes in the education system are underway and that it is very important to consider the economic aspects of the educational system's impact on the entire economy and society.

Pilav shared experiences he gained as the founder of the furniture factory MS&WOOD. “Without state assistance, we implemented a dual education system in collaboration with a secondary school in Fojnica. We rewarded the best students, and everyone completed paid internships. We also financed attendance at the most important European trade fairs and study trips. GIZ (German Federal Agency for International Cooperation) officially rewarded our dual education system. Also, through the MS&WOOD college, all employees were educated following the lifelong learning model, from managers to foremen to workers. The employees of the month were selected based on their contributions to productivity. We gifted the best employee of the year a vacation for them and their family at one of the domestic or European destinations.”

Pilav pointed out that the misconception that profit is earned through muscle power is false; it is earned through knowledge. Educators must continuously improve and have lifelong education. They must be the most valued and best-paid segment of society. “Therefore, the economic aspect of education is crucial. There is no such thing as free education. Every education system costs money. And the economy is the only one that creates value to cover all those costs.”

Pilav highlights several examples and calculations he developed with several professors from the Faculty of Economics in Sarajevo when they created the well-known Marshall Plan a few years ago – a proposal for measures and reforms to exit the crisis. “An engineer with a higher education leaves the country to work in Germany, and the state loses at least 1 million BAM. The education of this young professional costs the state 100,000 – 200,000 BAM, and the rest concerns losses through taxes and contributions. This is simple arithmetic, and the losses are much larger. Imagine if Rusmir Hrvić, whom we know today as the CEO of AS Holding, one of the largest business systems in the country, went to Germany. Bosnia and Herzegovina would then lose at least 100 million BAM and more just through taxes and contributions. Furthermore, the motivational factor is essential. Many young people today want to be as successful as Rusmir Hrvić in our context or Elon Musk globally. In fact, it is impossible to calculate all those billions of direct and indirect, short-term and long-term losses to society and the state.”

Pilav stated that entrepreneurship subjects should be included in all elementary and secondary schools and that every citizen should know the basics of economics, “so that everyone understands where all of this around us is funded. This particularly relates to the cumbersome bureaucratic apparatus that costs this country billions of BAM. Therefore, it is essential to think about productivity in a useful way from families to the public sector and toward the private sector. The private sector concerns us the least; the public sector worries us all,” said Pilav.

“Investing in education is fundamental for the survival and progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Only educated and innovative people who continuously and rapidly acquire new knowledge and skills can improve the situation in our society. For example, if the state invests 10 million BAM in education about health for its citizens, it will save at least 100 million BAM on healthcare costs. If the state adopts the concept that all children should attend excellent kindergartens for education and excellent schools, there will be significantly less domestic violence, significantly fewer drug addicts, significantly less street violence, imports will decrease, and exports from BIH will increase, etc.,” emphasized Pilav.

The "Knowledge Olympics" Foundation is a non-governmental and non-profit organization focused on improving the educational system with the aim of acquiring functional knowledge among children, students, and pupils. The founders of this non-governmental and non-profit organization are academician, Prof. Dr. Mirko Pejanović, emeritus, Prof. Dr. Željko Šain, and Mr. Oec. Sci. Muhamed Pilav, a successful entrepreneur with domestic and foreign experience. The foundation supports various centers and associations that enhance education and the educational system, as well as gifted students and pupils through various forms of scholarships. Recently, the foundation, in collaboration with partner organizations Montessori Community Center and STEM Academy, launched the Educational Center with programs designed for supplementary education for children aged 8 months to 18 years.