The Challenge of Education in a Multicultural Setting

Abstract

This paper focuses on the culturally responsive teaching and the importanceof addressing cultural diversity in the classroom, with special focus on education inmulticultural environments. Culturally responsive teaching requires certain adjustmentsand changes in the curriculum so as to build upon the cultures of diverse groups, no matterthe subject taught. The school climate is an indicator of whether diversity and equality are respected and promoted in schools. We will therefore, stress the importance of teacher' sunderstanding of their students' cultural background and hence, be culturally responsivein their approach. This paper will draw examples from the education circumstances in Macedonia and from my local experience as a lecturer at the South East Eurpean University(SEEEU) in Tetovo, Macedonia. It will also look at the legal frame referring to the educationin Macedonia and see how it organizes the objectives and outcomes in respect to some generalvalues, such as cultural diversity, creativity, democratisation of culture.