It is very important that as a society we send a message that education is above all political, national, religious and other divisions that exist in Montenegro, and the passing of the law and support for the committees is a strong message that there are still things around which we can unite.
This was stated by the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Anđela Jakšić Stojanović, during the session of the Parliament of Montenegro.
On the agenda of the session is the Bill on the Ratification of the Agreement on the Central European Exchange Program for University Studies.
"The Central European Exchange Programme (CEEPUS) for University Studies is a programme for professors, researchers and students from the programme's member countries... This agreement includes exchange within the signatory countries, as well as joint participation in scientific and research programmes, organisation of summer schools, conferences, round tables... It is very important that all signatory countries have undertaken to ratify the aforementioned agreement in parliament by 1 May," said Jakšić Stojanović.
Exchanges within the program, as the minister said, last from three to ten months, and can be shorter.
Subotić: Through knowledge we reach the true and only future for all of us
Jovan Subotić, a member of the European Parliament, said that the goal is to create connections and mutual cooperation. Subotić said that education is a key segment of the solution to "all our problems", emphasizing that without science, fear will reign. This, he claims, leaves room for manipulation.
"Through knowledge we come to the true and only future for all of us. This CEEPUS program is one of those fantastic opportunities... It is very important to emphasize that these scholarships include all the costs necessary for a scientist. They cover the costs of living, education, housing, even health insurance, which is very important for those people who study abroad."
He said that the PES parliamentary group would support this legal solution, and wished good luck to all future beneficiaries of this program.
Milatović: Are scholarships enough for living abroad?
Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) MP Sonja Milatović said that she is always disappointed by those "who are ready to vote to the detriment of those they call the future, which are young people."
She said that the CEEPUS program targets the best interests of students, recalling that Montenegro has been a member of the program since 2005.
"When we pass the Law, conditions will be provided for the continuation of good practice that gives young people a chance to experience life outside of Montenegro... Listening to the experiences of those who dared to leave, I know that it was invaluable both in terms of education and life."
She asked Minister Jakšić Stojanović whether the relevant ministry had a database and whether she knew how many "young Montenegrin scientific students there were in the world."
"I wonder if scholarships are enough for life abroad... Does the state have mechanisms to support young people who show courage by deciding to take this step? Does the state have a strategy for how to bring them back when they feel the charms of some other systems that are far more organized than the Montenegrin one," asked the DPS MP.
Jakšić Stojanović said that 134 scholarships were awarded to students studying at some of the foreign faculties.
"Cooperation has already been established with the Ministry of Diaspora to map, within their registry, our scientists who have achieved brilliant results all over the world and to create a program for cooperation... The fact is that Montenegro did not have an adequate mechanism to provide support for our people who would have the opportunity to study at Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and other universities."
Milatović said she would like to see youth issues discussed more often in parliament. She encouraged young people to use programs like CEEPUS.
"I believe these are invaluable experiences – in terms of life and education. I raised the issue of scholarship amounts for a reason, because I received information from students that, however, these amounts are not enough and that they had to be helped by their family and friends, which represents a significant blow to household budgets."
Ćeman: Important agreement
MP Vladimir Bakrač (Europe Now) said that Montenegrin students are largely bringing experience from other universities, and added that this is good practice. He supported Montenegrin students and encouraged the use of the "ERASMUS+" programs.
Democratic MP Albin Ćeman said that mobility allows students to travel and get to know new places, people, the mentality of other people...
He said that the agreement is very important, adding that he hopes that it will enable the Montenegrin academic community to be better.
Đurović: We gave our intelligence to rich countries
Dejan Đurović (ZBCG – New Serbian Democracy) said that the number of educated and trained people is lower "in those places in Montenegro that, unfortunately, are starting to die out."
"This must be taken into account. Student exchange contributes to better education and qualifications of students... What is important is that our students, after completing their studies, see how things are done abroad and then bring their knowledge here. We have a fundamental problem. We educated a large number of students and they went abroad. We gifted our intelligence to rich countries."
Đurović said that "members of various embassies, their branches, know exactly and focus on the best students."
"They also happen to get offers from abroad at the end of their studies. What cost Montenegro money goes away... Salaries at universities are very good today. I'm not sure that there is too much difference in finances at European universities," he said.
Jakšić Stojanović: Clearly defined procedures, competencies and control of acquiring public documents
The Adult Education Act is also on the agenda of the session.
Jakšić Stojanović said that this law ensures that every individual has the opportunity to receive education through various forms.
"In the previous period, we faced numerous problems. Very often, adult education organizers issued internal certificates that caused confusion in the market. We believed that this area needed to be further regulated. The new Law on Adult Education and the Law on Professional Qualifications clearly define the procedures, competencies and control of acquiring public documents. The new Law on Adult Education defines the conditions for who can run pilot programs compared to the previous solution where only existing, licensed adult education organizers could do so, which was a major barrier...", said the Minister of Education.
She said that university professors "could not be involved in the organization of adult education, because they were required to undergo andragogical training, which is a kind of nonsense."
"The Adult Education Law is closely linked to the Law on National Vocational Qualifications and Amendments to the Law on the National Qualifications Framework. We have tried to harmonize it with the European legislative framework."
Milović: Excess diplomas, lack of knowledge
DPS MP Nikola Milović said that in the educational structure of unemployed people, “those with completed primary school and lower education make up almost 15 percent of Montenegrin society.” He said that we have major mismatches in the labor market, as well as a huge imbalance.
"In Montenegro, we have a surplus of diplomas and a shortage of knowledge. You have started the process of solving this, but I have the feeling that you have stopped there... No one can be bad from school. Now it is important that you have a diploma, because it is your entry point for employment opportunities, and not in the private, but in the state sector." The Minister of Education said that she has not stopped "when it comes to diplomas and will not stop."
Popović: The Bologna system was not implemented in the European way in Montenegro
MP Vladimir Bakrač (Europe Now) asked Jakšić Stojanović whether the education department has data on individuals who did not complete primary school in Montenegro.
Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Zdenka Popović said that the Bologna system was supposed to enable "faster employability of students...".
"In Montenegro, this system was not implemented in a European way. We have really made huge mistakes in our steps, since 2004, and that is why we need adult education. We are reaching a situation where we have economists, lawyers, engineers with primary education who cannot find employment in their profession. Of course, they need additional education or retraining... European legislation really promotes micro-qualifications through its educational program," said Popović, emphasizing that this "Law is important because it enables lifelong education."
Vuković: The law brings certain improvements
Ivan Vuković (DPS) said that "this Law brings certain advances, especially in the normative sense."
"The essence of this Law is that it attempts to create the conditions for faster and easier employment of older people. I think that is very important. What the implementation of this law will look like in practice is the essence of the matter. On the one hand, normatively, technically, I do not see anything controversial. However, many things come to mind that make me doubt that the implementation of this legal solution will be adequate. It should be mentioned that, according to the latest data from the Statistical Office (Monstat), there are over 220.000 inactive citizens in Montenegro. These are persons who are older than 15 years of age, who do not have a job and are not actively looking for one," Vuković pointed out.
He said the idea is to support adults to work and look for work.
"You have a situation where many successful private companies cannot find employees due to political practices in the last four years. Social programs implemented by the parliamentary majority in a large number of municipalities in Montenegro and at the state level, which represent nothing more than a legalized form of political corruption...", said Vuković.
Vuković recalled that during his term as mayor of Podgorica, a kindergarten and several schools were built, noting that at that time the capital city included the present-day municipality of Zeta.
"The land on which the kindergartens in Block 6, the Old Airport, and the associated utilities were built, represent a contribution from the Capital City... The funds were operational, and the question arises as to what happened to them..."
Obradović: No one can be satisfied with the state of education
New Serbian Democracy MP Vaso Obradović said that "children have become models of people full of money."
"And these people have managed the transition we talked about. We from New Serbian Democracy advocate for the introduction of religious education as an elective subject. I don't see what is controversial about enabling children who express interest in it to become additionally acquainted with a certain field...", said Obradović.
According to him, "no one in Montenegro can be satisfied with the state of education."
"Montenegro was in such a state that it is good that we managed to function. I am the first to oppose anyone taking up responsible positions, especially directorships in the education system, on a party basis... Revanchism does not exist with us. That is your (opposition) vision. If you returned to power, you would show it in full capacity. There are many positive elements here. The most important thing is to ensure the quality and improvement of education. By changing the basic items, this Law has been significantly improved. I am most pleased with the part where the solution will achieve a higher level of training for organizers of continuation courses."
He said that they had a shortage of andragogical staff, and stressed that market mobility must be enabled. Obradović said that it is important to check diplomas.
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