The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MESI) has changed the entire legal framework in education and science in the past year and provided record investments in infrastructure and digitalization, said the relevant minister, Anđela Jakšić Stojanović, stating that 2026 will be the year in which reforms will bring visible changes in classrooms.
In an interview with the MINA agency, Jakšić Stojanović said that 2024 was a year of thorough preparation, while reform processes began last year.
"The entire legal framework in the field of education and science has been changed, key strategic documents have been adopted, such as the Education Reform Strategy 2025–2035 and the Career Guidance and Counseling Strategy, and a large number of bylaws have been adopted. This has given many issues in the system a clear and sustainable normative solution for the first time," said Jakšić Stojanović.
She highlighted the establishment of the Fund for Excellence in Higher Education and the Fund for Dual Education as a very important achievement in the past year, through which they provided stronger support to the scientific research community and talents, as well as the implementation of numerous activities aimed at supporting excellence at all levels of the educational process.
Jakšić Stojanović said that education reform would not be possible without a thorough revision of subject curricula - a process that will result in the creation of new, modern textbooks for all levels of education.
"The development of the National Curriculum Framework, which will represent the overarching strategic and normative document for the modernization of our education system and its alignment with European standards and the needs of 21st century society, is in the final phase," added Jakšić Stojanović.
As she explained, the goal of the National Curriculum Framework is to align curricula with the contemporary needs of students, the demands of the labor market and a knowledge-based society, which includes a comprehensive revision of existing teaching content and changes to textbooks for all levels of education.
Jakšić Stojanović said that significant progress has been made in the field of digital transformation of education and strengthening the innovation ecosystem.
"We have acquired modern ICT equipment for all schools in Montenegro, modernized the MEIS information system and introduced numerous digital services. We are developing the national digital platform Digionica and establishing EdTech laboratories, thereby laying the foundations for a modern, digitally equipped and innovation-friendly education system," said Jakšić Stojanović.
She said that a great focus has also been placed on educational infrastructure, stating that in the previous period more than 100 million euros have been invested in the construction and reconstruction of schools and kindergartens throughout Montenegro, with the support of the European Investment Bank, the Council of Europe Development Bank, the EBRD and the US Embassy.
Jakšić Stojanović said that almost every municipality had at least one significant infrastructure project and that work had been completed or begun on numerous primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, and higher education institutions.
"If I had to single out some, first of all, they would be the projects that we implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Works, which were more financially demanding, such as the adaptation of nine secondary vocational schools, for which around six million euros were allocated, then the completion of the new building of the "Vladimir Nazor" Elementary School, for which around 7,2 million euros were allocated, as well as the completion of works on the building of the Faculty of Architecture," said Jakšić Stojanović.
Speaking about the school in the Podgorica neighborhood of City kvart, whose construction is planned through a project with the EIB, Jakšić Stojanović stated that the main design for the new elementary school has been completed and revised, and that the start of work is expected in the first half of this year.
"The tender procedure for selecting professional supervision is underway, while a tender for selecting a contractor is expected by the end of the month. The school will have 30 classrooms for students in all three educational cycles, with offices, a gym, a library, an area for extended stay, as well as facilities for conducting classes outdoors," Jakšić Stojanović specified.
When it comes to the kindergarten in the City Quarter, Jakšić Stojanović stated that the conceptual design has been submitted to the Chief State Architect and that approval is being awaited so that the designer, based on the adopted conceptual design, can continue developing the main project.
"According to the contract, the deadline for developing the main project is three months, after which it is submitted for review, which is the next step towards announcing the tender," said Jakšić Stojanović.
When asked about the construction of a new school and kindergarten in Zabjelo, Jakšić Stojanović said that Zabjelo is one of the fastest growing settlements in Podgorica and that therefore relieving the capacity of existing kindergartens and schools is an absolute priority.
As she stated, to that end, the construction of the "Oktoih" Elementary School pavilion has begun, which will have 11 classrooms, and which should be completed within a year from the start of the work.
Jakšić Stojanović said that urban planning and technical conditions for construction have been obtained for the construction of a new school behind the former Titeks, that the Capital City has ceded the land, and that the preparation of the project terms of reference for the development of the conceptual design and main project is underway.
Speaking about this year's budget, Jakšić Stojanović said that the funds are significant, but that investments in education are never enough.
According to her, the priorities will be infrastructure, digitalization, professional development of teachers, support for vulnerable groups, and funding for research projects.
"Among the most important infrastructure projects in the coming period, I would like to highlight the construction of a new gymnasium in Podgorica, sports halls in Andrijevica and Cetinje, a new elementary school at the Old Airport, the upgrade of the "Vlado Milić" Elementary School, new kindergartens in Bar, Podgorica (Old Airport and Zlatica), Ulcinj, Bijelo Polje, Berane and Kotor," said Jakšić Stojanović.
As she pointed out, in the coming period, new, significant procurement of IT equipment, as well as specialized equipment for secondary vocational schools, is planned, in order to ensure that students learn and work in an environment that meets modern technological and market requirements.
Jakšić Stojanović said that creating an education system tailored to the modern child, with a clear vision of the future that brings rapid and profound changes, which education must recognize and follow, is an extremely demanding task, but that it also represents a great professional and personal challenge for her.
"That is precisely why we will not stop at the achieved results, nor will we be satisfied with normative and strategic changes, because the most important part of the work awaits us - concrete changes that will be directly felt in the classroom, in the everyday experience of our students and teachers," said Jakšić Stojanović.
She said that she sees this year as a period in which working and learning conditions, as well as the entire curriculum, will be systematically adjusted to the normative framework that has been changed.
"This means that I see 2026 as the year in which the foundation of a reform will be laid in which children, educators and parents will clearly feel concrete changes in the quality of teaching, in the school environment and in their everyday educational experience," said Jakšić Stojanović.
He says he expects systemic changes in practice and teaching methods, a stronger focus on acquiring functional knowledge, as well as a clear focus on recognizing the individual preferences of each child and encouraging their full development.
The emphasis, Jakšić Stojanović added, will be on a school that teaches children how to think, cooperate, solve problems and navigate modern society, and not just reproduce facts.
"I am aware that this is a process that is neither quick nor simple, but requires continuity, perseverance and partnership between all stakeholders in education. However, when there is sincere political will and social readiness to improve the system, I deeply believe that Montenegro can and should be recognized as a country of education, science and innovation," said Jakšić Stojanović.
When asked about the possibilities for increasing salaries for educators this year, Jakšić Stojanović said that satisfied and motivated educators are one of the key prerequisites for improving the education system, stating that improving their material and professional position is a permanent priority of the Ministry and that they will always fight to ensure that they feel valued, protected and respected in every sense in their work.
"We have shown in the previous period that these are not just declarative messages through the increase in salaries of employees in education, as well as through measures we have taken to mitigate the negative effects of the implementation of centralized salary calculation," said Jakšić Stojanović.
Speaking about a possible additional increase in salaries and coefficients, Jakšić Stojanović reminded that salary issues in the public sector are resolved within the framework of the overall fiscal policy of the state and through dialogue with all social partners, while taking into account the sustainability of public finances.
"Within this framework, the Ministry will monitor and implement the public sector salary policy as defined in the coming period, and provide clear support to any solution that leads to improving the financial position of employees in the education system," said Jakšić Stojanović.
Jakšić Stojanović pointed out that the shortage of staff, especially in subjects such as mathematics, physics and chemistry, is one of the serious systemic challenges, but that at the same time they are also facing an increasing shortage of educators and teachers.
She said that temporary solutions are being applied to overcome this problem, such as hiring retired professors, but measures have also been taken through increasing enrollment quotas, opening new study programs, and awarding 100 scholarships for students who choose to pursue professions in short supply.
"We are aware that one of the reasons for the lower interest in these professions lies in the lower attractiveness of the teaching profession compared to other professional opportunities offered after completing studies. Therefore, the Ministry will continue to work intensively on improving the status of educators, both materially and professionally, as well as on raising the reputation of the teaching profession in society," said Jakšić Stojanović.
Commenting on the announced decision of the Capital City to subsidize 50 percent of the costs of extended stays, Jakšić Stojanović said that the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports supports every initiative that eases the position of parents and provides additional support to children.
She emphasized that the Ministry has good cooperation with local governments and that the issue of extended stay is one of the major challenges in educational institutions, especially in Podgorica.
"Due to the overloaded capacity of schools, especially in the south of the country and in the capital, organizing extended stays poses a serious challenge for educational institutions," said Jakšić Stojanović.
According to her, parents are interested in extended stays, and staffing capacities are not an obstacle to its implementation.
"The problem is not in the staff, but primarily in the insufficient spatial capacities of school facilities, which at the moment do not allow for extended stay to be organized in all schools," said Jakšić Stojanović, adding that expanding and improving school capacities is the only long-term solution to this issue.
Commenting on the progress of Montenegrin students in the TIMSS test, Jakšić Stojanović said that the first positive developments are visible, but that the full effects of the reform will only be measurable in the years to come.
As she stated, Montenegro has not yet achieved the desired level in international testing, but the Education Reform Strategy 2025–2035 provides for a set of measures and activities that will improve student results.
"We want our children to acquire knowledge that is functional and applicable, to think critically, to solve problems using logic and creativity, and to leave school with skills that are essential for a quality life in modern society, so that Montenegro can be recognized as a country of knowledge, which uses its own resources for sustainable growth, development and strengthening its place in the European Union," said Jakšić Stojanović.
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