Ministry of Education, Institute for Education and Resource Center "1. jun" in Podgorica did not deal properly with the quality of education, nor with improving the conditions in which children with special educational needs attend classes and spend time in that institution.
This, among other things, is stated in the opinion of the protector of human rights and freedoms (ombudsman) after the procedure, which was initiated by the NGO "Niste sami", which consists of the parents of the children from the "First of June".
The Protector is of the opinion that such action by the authorities is not in accordance with the obligations of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, or national legislation:
"We believe that it is the duty of all those who directly or indirectly participate in providing quality education for all children to raise the standard in this area through their commitment and provide children with an adequate and safe environment while utilizing and encouraging individual capacities," writes the opinion signed by the deputy protector Snežana Mijušković.
The NGO "Niste sami" sent the ombudsman an initiative for action, citing various aspects of violations of students' rights, as well as deficiencies in the conditions for working with children who attend classes in RC "1. June" in Podgorica.
In the opinion, their address is quoted in its entirety and they state, among other things, that their children are "discriminated against by the school administration, as well as some employed educators, teachers, professional associates, highly specialized specialists and the management of the Resource Center".
According to the opinion of the guardian of the institution, there are 137 students, and in various ways 60 parents separated their opinion in relation to the protest letter, while four parents specifically expressed themselves and contested the statements from the address of the NGO "You are not alone".
During the procedure, the Protector requested statements from the Ju Education Resource Center "1. June", Department of Education, headed by Anđela Jakšić Stojanović, Institute for Education and Directorate for Inspection Affairs.
The opinion states that the Resource Center "1. June" requested a statement from the departmental councils, the Parents' Council and the School Board, and that they rejected the parents' allegations as unfounded.
In their statement, the Department of Education stated, among other things, that their representatives visited "1. June", that the conditions for the safe stay of children and their movement within the institution are provided in that institution, "but in some cases insufficient", as well as that additional conditions will be provided and measures necessary to strengthen the entire space and environment will be taken.
Various aspects of violation of students' rights, as well as deficiencies in the conditions for working with students, were determined during the procedure by the Educational Inspection.
Among other things, it was established that the members of the expert team, of which the director of the institution is a member, did not sign any of the submitted forms for the individual development and education plan (IROP) for the school year 2023/2024. year, that no written evidence was submitted that the expert team for the preparation, implementation, monitoring and adjustment of the IROP met for that school year, that no evidence was submitted that the institution informed the Institute of Education, the Professional Training Center and the Examination Center about the adopted IROP . It is added that no evidence was provided that the parents of the students of the institution participate in the preparation, application, monitoring and adjustment of the IROP. The inspection also noted that the members of the professional team are not in compliance with the Law on the Education of Children with Special Educational Needs, "because according to the Annual Work Program, that team is made up of the director of the institution." For this reason, as stated in the statement, the educational inspector will "propose the dismissal of Director XX to the school board of the institution":
"Because by not completing work tasks, she allowed a violation of Article 16, paragraph 4 and 5 of the Law on the Education of Children with Special Educational Needs."
TV Vijesti announced a few days ago that the parents are again demanding an immediate response from the authorities and the dismissal of Maja Kalezić, director of the Resource Center "1. June".
The protector states in his opinion that "the findings of the inspection indicate significant violations of the law in the part of the organization of the teaching program individually adapted to each student" and that "the protector expresses concern regarding the quality of work and treatment of students".
The Protector also stated that the Institute for Education has not supervised the RC in terms of determining the quality of educational institutions since 2017.
In relation to the statement of the Department of Education, that the institution provides conditions for the safe stay of children, as well as their movement... the protector states that "the competent Ministry did not notice any other deficiencies":
"Which is contrary to the findings of the competent inspection and the Institute for Education. The Protector believes that it is very important for the Ministry to become more actively involved in the resolution of detected problems and challenges within its competences," the opinion reads.
The protector recommended to the Ministry of Education, among other things, to conduct an analysis of the work program of the resource centers in relation to the real needs of children with special educational needs who are sent to those institutions. The Institute for Education was recommended to conduct quality control of the work of three resource centers in Montenegro, and RC "1. June" to make a Plan for fulfilling the recommendations they have received so far from the competent authorities and institutions.
We believe that it is the duty of all those who directly or indirectly participate in the provision of quality education for all children to raise the standard in this area through their efforts and provide children with an adequate and safe environment while utilizing and encouraging their individual capacities," writes the opinion signed by the deputy protector of Snežan Mijuskovic
The Protector also recommended to the Ministry of Education to conduct an analysis of the work program of resource centers in relation to the real needs of children with special educational needs who are sent to those institutions.
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