Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Anđela Jakšić Stojanović will meet today with representatives of the Education Union, and during the meeting they will discuss the possibility of salary increases and transportation costs for educators.
This was told to "Vijesta" last night in the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation.
Previously, yesterday morning, the Trade Union, headed by Radomir Božović, announced that they were dissatisfied with the fact that the proposed budget for 2024 did not include an increase in wages for employees in education.
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From that labor organization they claim that it is "contrary to the obligations assumed by the Branch collective agreement by the Government of Montenegro".
"We are surprised and disappointed that the announced strategic partnership with the Education Union, which was your promise, is being realized in this way. Instead of respect, we are faced with the announced, now certain violation of the Branch collective agreement, although at the meeting with the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, held on December 4, it was agreed to inform us about the decisions of the Government of Montenegro in this matter. The education union, unfortunately, learns about all of the above from the media," said the union members yesterday in an open letter to the Ministry.
The proposal of the Budget Law for 2024 for the field of education, science and innovation foresees 299,4 million euros, which is about 11,5 million more than the previous year.
In the previous year, 279,5 million euros were allocated for education, and 8,5 million euros for science.
Jakšić Stojanović's department says that the proposed budget is larger because it has a development component, while the Center for Civic Education says that this area is marginalized.
New facilities for kindergartens and schools, concern about peer violence and employee education
The MPNI points out that the budget provides funds of around two million euros to create a "safe and secure environment for our students, when it comes to peer violence".
"Funds have been provided for the purchase of around 30 vehicles for the needs of transporting students throughout Montenegro, which, along with the contract that was signed a month ago, will meet over 70 percent of the needs of Montenegrin schools. For the continuation of the project 'Functional analysis of educational infrastructure with recommendations for improvement', the total value of which is 600.000 euros, and it refers to the implementation of an infrastructural assessment at the state level for over 500 facilities of preschool institutions, primary and secondary schools and student dormitories", they answered " News" from that department.
That project, they clarify, also refers to the improvement of the policy and regulatory framework that would enable a more efficient and effective system of planning, delivery and management of educational infrastructure, as well as strengthening the institutional capacities of key institutions, i.e. departments for planning, delivery and management of infrastructure.
"More than 500.000 euros have been provided for the training of teaching staff, which includes the improvement of their knowledge, skills and competences, especially in the part related to pedagogical, didactic and methodical approaches in the implementation of the curriculum. The conditions have been created to enter into a new arrangement with the EIB worth 2024 million euros in 18 for the needs of the project 'Improving Montenegrin Education', as well as a project with the EBRD worth 20 million euros for the reconstruction of part of the energy efficiency of 25 educational facilities. The budget foresees funds in the amount of two million euros for the co-financing of the project with KFW Bank", it is stated in the answers of the Ministry.
There are also news in the capital budget.
"In the capital part of the budget, a round of consultations was carried out in cooperation with the municipalities. The Ministry of Finance accepted each of our joint proposals for projects that had a degree of maturity that could be implemented in 2024. Based on what has been done so far, but also on the basis of new projects, we can say that in 2024 the largest investment cycle will begin until now", said the Ministry.
They claim that work will begin on a dozen new buildings, and that everything will be done for the preparation of project documentation and perhaps the tendering for the contractor.
"In addition to new projects whose construction will begin in 2024, such as kindergartens in Nikšić, a new elementary school in Tivat, preconditions have been created for the construction of an elementary school and kindergarten in Siti kvart, a new building next to the 'Oktoih' school, kindergartens in Bar and Ulcinj and many others. In addition to the projects whose start of work is certain, the preconditions for the start of designing have been created for about 15 projects on the territory of the whole of Montenegro", emphasized the Ministry.
The Institute for Education a little more than religious schools
However, senior legal adviser of the CGE Snežana Kaluđerović believes that the way the budget is planned indicates that some strategic priorities, and education should be among them, are fundamentally marginalized.
"We are witnessing serious problems in the field of education, some accumulated and some more recent, which is why it was necessary to implement strict and radical cuts where there is no urgent need for spending, and in order to improve the base that is in the quality of teaching, which again, it depends on the way the entire education system is treated and how much is invested in it. That is why it could be expected that now, when the salary increase for the teaching staff is guaranteed by the Branch Collective Agreement in the coming period, we will have a significantly higher allocation of the budget for this part", said Kaluđerović.
He emphasizes that the redistribution for individual units in the education system, which carry complex tasks and scope of competence, could and had to be better.
"For example, although the Institute for Education as a public institution has a budget increase planned for 2024, the importance of its complex responsibilities such as regulation, supervision and development of all levels of the education system, which the unit is committed to, is clearly not recognized. It is particularly surprising that this key institution in the educational system is placed on the same level as religious institutions of education, that is, that approximately the same funds are allocated to the Institute - 1,85 million euros, compared to religious institutions of education that are in the status of private in Montenegro. educational institutions, and will be supported with as much as 1,7 million euros in 2024. The public has the right to a public explanation for this distribution and structure of priority needs in relation to these two items", concluded Kaluđerović.
Innovation and smart specialization policy
The MPNI say that, as innovations were positioned high on the Government's policy agenda and recognized as a generator of the country's economic development, the system began to transform and the need for a complete reform in the innovation ecosystem emerged.
"Interventions in the policy of innovation and smart specialization will be aimed at the full functionality of the Framework for Innovation and Smart Specialization, the continuity of financing and the connection of innovation programs, regional and international connection in order to optimally attract donors for the initiated reform, as well as the implementation of targeted S3 programs, which will become key initiatives", emphasized the department.
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