MoE: Suspected teacher suspended until the end of the procedure, Ulcinj school took all necessary measures and actions

The administration of the Ulcinj school whose teacher was arrested on suspicion of sexually harassing a nine-year-old student in this specific case took all necessary measures and actions - immediately upon learning of the incident, the Police Directorate of the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MPNI), the Basic State Prosecutor's Office (ODT) and the Center for Social Work were notified, and a decision was made to suspend the teacher until the completion of the procedure.

This was stated in a press release from the Ministry of National Defense.

"Regarding the unfortunate event in Ulcinj, where, due to the existence of reasonable suspicion that he sexually harassed an underage student, an educational worker was deprived of his liberty, the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation welcomes the quick reaction and sensitivity shown by the competent institutions in this very sensitive case. With full respect for the rights of the injured party, and respecting the presumption of innocence, we express our belief that the competent authorities will fully shed light on this event in the most efficient manner and through urgent procedures," the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation said in a statement.

The Ministry of Education and Science adds that, recognizing the challenges that existed in the previous period, together with the NGO Parents' Association, they initiated amendments to the General Law on Education, which were recently adopted. These amendments, as they point out, stipulate that in such and similar cases, the director of an educational institution, as a rule, issues a ban on teaching to an educational worker against whom proceedings have been initiated for harassing students, for the entire duration of the proceedings.

"There must be no place in Montenegrin schools for any form of harassment of students, whether by educators or peers. Our children must feel safe in schools, in the same way as in the warmth of their home. In the coming period, the Ministry will continue to actively promote and implement a policy of zero tolerance for violence and harassment in schools, for the benefit of all our students," the statement concludes.