UNICEF and several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) called on political actors to commit themselves that, after the election of the new convocation of the Assembly and the formation of the Government, they will invest enough money in financing new school and preschool facilities and provide quality education for every child.
The NGO Association Parents, Education Association, National Association of Parents, Children and Youth with Disabilities (NARDOS), Young Roma and UNICEF called on all political actors to commit to investing enough money in adequately equipping all schools with new technologies.
"As well as for ensuring the continuous professional development of all teachers, and quality and inclusive support for the education of all children, including children with developmental disabilities and children from the Roma and Egyptian communities," the UNICEF announcement states.
From that international organization, they said that Montenegro, as a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, has committed itself to providing every girl and boy with the right to quality and inclusive education.
The head of the UNICEF representative office in Montenegro, Juan Santander, said that what the new government will do in relation to the education system will affect every girl and boy and every citizen.
He said that quality education is a sustainable way out of the cycle of poverty.
"It is of essential importance for the development and growth of Montenegro. "Citizens have the opportunity to influence those decisions by giving priority to children in the elections, as voters," said Santander.
Olivera Leković from the NGO Prosvjetna zajednica said that investing more resources in continuous professional development, advocating for the principles of meritocracy and decentralization of the education system are extremely necessary if Montenegro wants to achieve higher quality education.
She called on all political actors to commit to making it possible for every teacher and student in Montenegro.
"We call on all political actors to commit that, if they are part of the new government, they will provide every teacher and student with an adequate space for learning and free access to the Internet, digital and assistive technologies in schools and kindergartens," said Leković.
Lepa Žunjić from the Association of Parents said that it is time that in the 21st century children finally get a sufficient number of kindergartens and schools and stay in adequate spatial conditions and in equipped rooms for work.
"As well as having functional toilets, access to drinking water, that their schools are heated and that they don't have to walk kilometers to school, because they live in rural areas and don't have organized transportation," added Žunjić.
She said that they expect future decision-makers to pay special attention to textbooks and the quality of their content, as well as the needs of parents to have support available in the form of an extended stay for their six- and seven-year-olds when they start school.
NARDOS pointed out that it is necessary to provide the necessary learning tools for children with developmental disabilities, as well as to organize additional training for teachers, so that they can provide quality and inclusive education to every child.
"We call on all political actors to commit that, if they are part of the new government, they will respect and implement the recommendations of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, ensure the functional inclusion of children with developmental disabilities without barriers," said Savo Knežević from NARDOS.
UNICEF said that when it comes to the education of Roma and Egyptian students, there are many obstacles, and the importance of education and getting out of poverty is of key importance for them.
Samir Jaha from the NGO Mladi Romi called on political actors, current and future, to support additional programs that have produced results, such as mentoring support for Roma children in primary and secondary schools.
"It is necessary to pay special attention to preschool upbringing and education, given that we still have kindergartens where only Roma children stay," said Jaha.
He said that it is necessary to continue with scholarships in high schools and colleges, with a special emphasis on providing paid internships and/or internship programs in municipal/state companies.
UNICEF said that, according to the latest population census, children under the age of 18 make up a quarter of the population of Montenegro.
"In addition to affecting all children, quality education for every child in Montenegro also affects their parents, grandparents, teachers and all citizens, because education is of key importance for getting out of poverty," UNICEF said. a.
They stated that therefore what the new government does to reform the education system will have an impact on every person living in Montenegro.
"For these reasons, the campaign for the parliamentary elections should deal with this key issue of human rights, because it is at the core of the development of Montenegro," the announcement says.
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