Statement of the Academy Board for Education

The Academy Board for Education has, in previous years, drawn attention to numerous problems in education and advised on solutions at conferences and gatherings featuring representatives from all levels of education, as well as, on occasion, representatives from the Ministry of Education. Unfortunately, our publications (including ’Ključni podaci o obrazovanju u Srbiji [Key Data on Education in Serbia] and Zaključci i preporuke [Conclusions and Recommendations]) from the conference ’Education, Current State, Perspectives and the Role in the Development of Serbia’ have received no response from relevant institutions.

Considering the current situation in primary and secondary schools, the members of the Academy Board for Education have concluded that certain actions taken by the Ministry of Education have had a detrimental impact on the already undermined educational system. At times when schools already face a significant shortage of teachers, not only due to financial reasons, but also due to working conditions and the insufficient recognition of their role and status in society, we find it unacceptable that staff employed on a temporary basis, often for several consecutive years, are being dismissed, while full-time teachers face threats to their positions.

These measures are accelerating the decline of already fragile primary and secondary education, which will have long-term negative consequences for the entire society.