Statement by the SASA Board for Education

At the initiative of Mr Dejan Vuk Stanković, The Academy Board for Education of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (AOO SANU), organised a meeting with a delegation of students, teachers and parents from the Fifth Belgrade Gymnasium, to assess the current situation in the school and propose solutions for the normalisation of the educational process. Following the dialogue, AOO SANU released a press statement on 26 December 2025, which welcomed students’ return to school and proposed measures to improve the quality of education.

It is with a deep concern that AOO SANU has learned that two students, members of the above-mentioned delegation, have had their conduct grade lowered without any consultation with the Class Council and without an official written elaboration. Additionally, the entire class of II/11 has also had their conduct grades lowered, likewise without any explanation.

AOO SANU deems such actions anti-pedagogical and contrary to the basic principles of an educational process. Not only must students’ participation in an institutionalised dialogue not be punished, but it also has to be activelly encouraged as young people are the future pillars of our society’s progress and its democratisation.

Although taking into consideration a situation in a grammar school may seem as a singular case, the Board believes that this is a stark example of pressure, which, according to current findings, is present in a number of schools across our country. Such reactions may have severe consequences for the stability and quality of an already fragile system of primary and secondary education.

It is for this reason that the Board calls upon the Minister of Education to take the necessary steps to revoke the decisions on lowering conduct grades, prevent further pressure on students, and ensure a stable and uninterrupted return to regular teaching. The relevant ministry is expected to provide protection of the fundamental principles of education and students’ interests.