Jelušić asks Bratić: Will media literacy be an optional subject for all students

Member of Parliament of the coalition "Crno na bijelo" Božena Jelušić will ask the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Vesna Bratić whether the educational authorities are planning to introduce media literacy as an optional subject in all primary and secondary vocational schools and whether there are preparations for the next school year. current year and what they include.

"Today, citizens of all ages spend more and more time on the Internet, where they are exposed to media influences, misinformation, hate speech and other toxic content that abounds in media platforms that have a bad effect on their mental and emotional health, and on the decisions they make. This has especially happened to expressed during the health crisis, when citizens were bombarded with a lot of information, among which it was difficult to differentiate between facts and misinformation or propaganda," the clarification of the question of MP Jelušić states.

As reported by the URA Media Team, Jelušić adds that in a survey that included the countries of the Western Balkans, Central and Eastern Europe, Montenegro was at the top of the list of countries where the largest number of people believe in conspiracy theories.

"In addition, research (source: UNICEF) from March of this year shows us that only half of the citizens of Montenegro would get vaccinated against the coronavirus, while some data say that 44 percent of young people between the ages of 15 and 30 would not do so. Societies of developed democracies have responded to these challenges of the modern age through education and thus helped young people to develop critical thinking skills through media literacy, but also to be proactive citizens interested in creating a better society. These skills also help them to be competent in the labor market in a digital society 21 . century," stated Jelušić.

The MP also explains that media literacy, which is recognized as an adequate response to the spread of misinformation and the best way to educate citizens about these phenomena, was introduced as an optional subject in Montenegrin schools a decade ago.

"Currently, the skill of developing critical thinking can be studied by only about 30% of the high school population in Montenegro, and it is the privileged knowledge of high school students. Media education is not an option for students of secondary professional and elementary schools. That is why the Media Institute of Montenegro (IMCG) on behalf of The National Coalition for Media Literacy (an informal body made up of representatives of state institutions, the civil sector and experts in this field) proposed the introduction of media literacy as an optional subject in all primary and secondary schools in Montenegro. This proposal was previously submitted to the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture. and sports, as well as other important educational institutions," says Jelušić.

The MP from the "Black on White" coalition will also ask Minister Bratić whether the preparations for the next school year are underway and what they include.

"When will the models be known according to which classes will be conducted and in what way will schools be helped to implement them? Along with the dismissal of the principal, have methods been devised to support teachers in the fight against the results of the interruption of regular work and teaching? assessment of the needs for new school and preschool infrastructure was done and what steps were taken to improve the situation? What is happening with the elementary school "Vladimir Nazor" in Zagorič, which is unusable, and 1.200 children did not go to school at all, even when others started. Yes has contact been made with local governments to provide spaces for classes in cities where schools are overburdened - in case of a re-emergence of Kovid? how will it be ensured that all children attend regular classes at school?", says Jelušić in the additional explanation of this question.