KSENIJA RADOJA TRADES CITY LIFE FOR THE CLASSROOM IN GLAMOČ

At a time when many young, educated people aspire to move to larger urban centres and embrace a fast-paced lifestyle, some stories remind us of the value of simplicity, courage and unexpected life choices.

PHOTO: Glas Srpske

One such story is that of Ksenija Radoja, a Serbian language and literature teacher who exchanged the hustle and bustle of city life for the quieter rhythm of Glamoč, bringing fresh energy, knowledge and a passion for her native language to the local primary school.

Born in Novi Sad, Serbia, Ksenija completed her education in the city, graduating in Serbian language and literature from the Faculty of Philosophy. She also spent part of her life and professional journey in Banja Luka, becoming accustomed to the opportunities, activities and pace of larger cities. However, life sometimes takes us in directions we never planned.

“I came to Glamoč through a series of circumstances. I learned that a position in my field was becoming available, and since I was not employed at the time, I recognised it as a good opportunity worth taking,” Ksenija recalls.

Although she had never lived in Glamoč before, nor was she born there, family ties to the area gave her a sense of familiarity. Without lengthy deliberations, she made her decision spontaneously, packed her bags and set off on a new chapter of her life on her own.

DEDICATION TO EVERY STUDENT

Since September, at the beginning of the current school year, Ksenija has been an integral part of the team at Glamoč Primary School. She teaches Serbian to pupils in grades one through five, with a total of 20 children attending her classes.

“There are generally two classes in each grade, although some grades have only one. Pupils attending Serbian lessons from both classes come together, so I teach groups of between three and five children, depending on the grade. This approach allows me to devote as much attention as possible to each pupil,” she told Glas Srpske.

Since Serbian was introduced as a school subject only two years ago, the pupils have varying levels of prior knowledge.

“Their starting points differ, which is to be expected when working with children of different ages and different previous experiences of learning the language. Before Serbian was introduced, pupils could choose to study Bosnian or Croatian, so they followed different programmes and learned with different teachers,” Ksenija explains.

Although it is still too early to single out particular anecdotes, she says working with children provides a daily source of inspiration and small joys that make classroom life special.

TWO WORLDS, BOTH EQUALLY VALUABLE

Moving from major urban centres such as Novi Sad and Banja Luka to a small municipality like Glamoč represents a significant lifestyle change. However, Ksenija views the experience with understanding and gratitude.

“The differences are considerable, both professionally and in everyday life. I was used to the pace and opportunities of large cities, but small communities like Glamoč offer invaluable peace and much closer, more personal relationships between people. I am happy to have the opportunity to experience both ways of life and take the best from each,” she says.

Looking back, Ksenija believes she made the right decision. She has the opportunity to work in the profession for which she trained, gain valuable teaching experience and enrich her life by becoming part of a new community.

For those considering a similar move or returning to a smaller community, she offers advice based on her own experience.

“Each of us has different expectations, needs and priorities in life. There is no single right answer to the question of whether one should move to a smaller community. My message is to be brave enough to consider every opportunity that comes our way and make the decision that feels right and suits us best at that particular moment,” Ksenija says.

SERBIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES AND THE NEED FOR READING MATERIALS

Pupils of Serbian nationality at Glamoč Primary School have been studying their mother tongue only since the 2024/2025 school year. Serbian language classes for pupils in grades six through nine are taught by Anja Kalinić, who has been working at the school since Serbian was introduced as part of the national subject curriculum two years ago.

“Currently, 21 pupils in the upper grades study Serbian: four in grade six, eight in grade seven, two in grade eight and seven in grade nine. Unfortunately, the overall number of children at the school is declining. There used to be more than 300 pupils here, while today there are fewer than 200,” Anja told Glas Srpske.

The teachers follow the curriculum prescribed by the Republic Pedagogical Institute of Republika Srpska. The first Serbian language textbooks were provided free of charge by Republika Srpska institutions, and the books are carefully preserved and passed down from one generation to the next.

However, the lack of required literary works and additional reading materials remains one of the biggest challenges.

The experiences of Ksenija and her colleagues highlight the importance of education in smaller communities, where dedicated teachers play a vital role in preserving language, passing on knowledge and supporting the next generation.