Hertica became one of the most known school-houses in Kosovo. The owner of the house, Mehmet Aliu-Hertica, was kind enough to turn his house into a school so that young people would be able to finish their education. The students and teachers who went there were from "Sami Frashëri" High School. Hertica used a three-shift system throughout the day, which worked quite well for the students. The house filled some of the conditions of a normal school. It had 12 classrooms, a teachers' room, and two entrances, however, the conditions were still rough because the students had to use each-others backs as a desk. Luckily, in 1994 the owner provided some school supplies and desks with the help of some donors. Professors and students alike underwent many dangers. Some of them would get beaten up or get verbally assaulted by the Serbian police. Despite these risks, the students shared some beautiful memories such as attending their senior prom and participating in different competitions and other fun activities organized by the house school. Unfortunately, after 9 years of hard work and danger, the house school was closed and later burned by the Serbian military.
The owner of the Hertica house lent the house to Albanian students to continue their education after the Serbian occupation forced Albanians not to study in their schools.
The daughter of the house owner, Mrs. Azemine Aliu Hertica, was present from the first day when the new house was turned into a school for thousands of high school students. When you visit Hertica's school-house, you can hear the touching story of how she felt when her father informed her that the new house they were supposed to live there, would be turned into a school. You can also hear her talk about how she was her father's right hand even though she was young, she had many responsibilities around home and school.
This is the largest class of the House School. The largest number of students in this class was 47. While for the first time, in 1995, the Prom Night was held. All the students wore their best clothes and stayed there singing and dancing until the early hours of the morning.
Another classroom is shown here, with the desks burned but piled because, after lectures, it served as shelter for refugees.
On televisions like this one, we could listen to the stories of the Professors of that time, in this case, Professor Shyqeri Obertinca. He talked about the difficulties, the learning process, and the motivation of everyone to face everything.
At the house, on almost every wall, there are pictures of great significance. The first photo shows how the classes of that time ended when they were attacked by Serbian forces. While in the second photo, you can see a newspaper that describes the difficulties of the students of that time and how they never gave up because they attached great importance to education and training.
Here we see the attack on the house. The windows were broken, and the bricks were broken. On the ground, we can see their remains which are still there, after so many years.
This is the "Hertica" school-house built in 1989, which gave a lot to the people during the war. Originally built as a private house, the owner of the house, Mehmet Aliu, decided to use it as a house school for all students who wanted to continue their education. Although that the family was always in danger and was aware of this fact, Mr. Mehmet and his family were never afraid and never even considered the option of closing it and living freely.
On this wall, we see the photographs of development of a lesson. We can also see the interest and commitment of all the students who are present there.
Here, in these photographs we see the lesson held for two different schools. In the first photograph is the ‘Economics School’. In the second photograph we see the ‘Gjin Gazulli School’. Whereas, the newspapers talk about the protests that took place for education. There is also the discussion about the eviction of artists from the theater at that time.
After entering through the main door, we see this corridor. In the end, we see another door, which was used for the entrance and exit of the students because it was safer and could not be seen of the outside from the others. The stairs lead to the second floor and to the other classrooms.
Here we see the shoes of the students of that time, which have been placed for the reason of eternal commemoration of their courage and motivation. Consequently, the class is called such: "The Shoe Class".
Now we see another detailed interview of the Head of all the Home Schools in the country. He talks about the challenges they had and the tireless work of the students and the academic staff regardless of everything.
Here we see half of the blackboard which is still written. We also see the desk, which is broken as a result of the damage done by the Serbian military forces. Also the jacket hanger is on the wall.
We see pictures on the walls of classrooms and students. The photo was taken from the stairs leading up to the second floor.
This is the bathroom used by professors and students. We can see that even in that difficult time, the owners thought of everything. There you can see a heater so that it is never cold for anyone.
This is the only chair left in this class from that time. This chair has never been moved from this place since many years ago when it was placed by the students.
Here you can see the rest of the larger class mentioned above. We see that there were large windows, heaters ,and a balcony.
This is the blackboard in one of the classrooms. We can see the inscriptions of the students of that time, but also some of them from the visitors a few years ago.
On the top floor of the house, we see the flag of Kosovo and the flag of Albania. The family members say that they are always there to show the love they have for the two countries.
Here we see some different pictures. In the picture above, we see the students writing and using their knees as there were no desks yet. Below it, we see some titles of different newspapers. Mainly there it is written about the lively and creative atmosphere that pervaded that house school regardless of the circumstances.
Another view of the table written by the students of that time and recent visitors.
Here we see some of the students in the hospital at the time of the poisoning. Fortunately, no one was poisoned by the school of Hertice, but the photographs were only for reminders and information from that time.
One of the desks which is located on the first floor. In 1994, Mr. Mehmet had bought the desks that had taken three months to arrive. This was Mr. Mehmet's surprise for the students, who, when they saw them, started clapping and were extremely joyful.