The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MESI) has submitted documentation to the Special State Prosecutor's Office (SDT) regarding the illegal dismissal of directors of educational institutions during 2021, and the department has so far paid out more than 400.000 euros on this basis, Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Anđela Jakšić-Stojanović announced today.
MP Abaz Dizdarević asked the minister at the Assembly session today about the state's costs due to the illegal dismissal of directors of educational institutions in 2021.
Jakšić-Stojanović responded that 139 disputes have been concluded so far and that in all cases final judgments have been issued, annulling the Ministry's decisions from 2021 as illegal.
"Regarding lawsuits for compensation for material damage, 38 proceedings have been concluded with final judgments. The total amount is 392.312,33 euros. In 2023, 119.325 euros were paid, in 2024 - 222.043 euros, and this year 50.943,02 euros. Based on the unlawful dismissal of members of the Ethics Committee, 106.000 euros were paid from the budget. All records are kept by the Protector of Property and Legal Interests of Montenegro, who represents the Ministry," said Jakšić Stojanović.
Civic Movement URA MP Miloš Konatar asked about the elementary school in Igalo, because "the minister took advantage of the so-called official campaign."
"During the local election campaign in Herceg Novi, the issue of the long-standing need for citizens there to get another primary school, which had been promised to them for a decade, was raised. The dilemma arose as to whether the school in Igalo should be located on the site of the children's department of the 'Simo Milošević' Institute or in the complex as envisaged by the Government's decision in 2022, so that the school would have adequate conditions," said Konatar.
Jakšić-Stojanović said that she must respect the rules for licensing institutions.
"Unfortunately, in the past we had a number of schools where the rules were not respected. We have some standards that would not be applicable even in much more developed countries. We have schools that do not have gyms... I can promise that all professional rules regarding licensing will be fully respected," she said.
Konatar said that the priority is to get a quality solution.
Jakšić-Stojanović: We will dedicate the next year to the Law on Arts Education and the Arts Education Strategy
MP Jelena Božović asked Jakšić-Stojanović whether the Ministry of Music and Performing Arts has plans to open a school for secondary music education in the north of Montenegro.
"In the north, there are four schools for primary music education with regional departments. After graduation, children are forced to go to Podgorica, Kotor or Tivat where they can continue their education. Unfortunately, parents are often unable to afford this for their children," said Božović, emphasizing that it is important to have educational institutions that deal with music education.
Jakšić-Stojanović said that there are good facilities for music education in Pljevlja, Bijelo Polje and Kolašin.
"We are certainly interested in considering this. In the coming period, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports will conduct the necessary analyses of the justification for establishing a public institution for secondary vocational education in the field of musical art in order to obtain relevant data... The Ministry of Education, Science and Sports supports all good initiatives and everything for which we can find a solution," emphasized the Minister of Education, Science and Sports.
She emphasized that music education requires special treatment as is the case in Europe.
"We will dedicate the next year to the Law on Arts Education and the Arts Education Strategy. Also, one of the initiatives we received at meetings with representatives of art schools is the initiative related to the beginning of primary music education. In the region, they start from the fourth grade of primary school, and through the reform, we have introduced it from the first grade...", said Jakšić-Stojanović.
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