The Municipality of Budva itself chose the gift package, which included a Serbian language workbook "Pričaonica" and a poster with the 30-letter alphabet, while the Institute for Textbooks and Teaching Aids (ZUNS), at the request of the local administration, purchased the product from the exclusive distributor for Montenegro.
This was announced to "Vijesti" by the Institute, after the President of the Municipality of Budva Nikola Jovanovic announced that the purchase of packages for Budva's first-year students, the content of which some parents complained to the editorial office, was carried out through that state institution.
"Vijesti" reported two days ago that the packages that Jovanović handed out to first-year students in Budva's elementary schools contained "Pričaonica" - a workbook for the Serbian language from a publishing house in Čačak, and a poster with the 30-letter alphabet.
Jovanović then announced that the Municipality had made the procurement in question with the state-owned Institute for Textbooks and Teaching Aids, claiming that the local government had "no contractual, business or financial relationship with private individuals or other publishers."
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However, the Institute claims that it was the Municipality of Budva that approached them with a request to purchase a specific gift package, and that it is a "product that is freely available in bookstores throughout Montenegro and that citizens can buy as a gift for children."
"The Municipality of Budva sent us a photo of the package it wanted to provide to the first-graders. It is a product that is freely available in bookstores throughout Montenegro and which citizens can buy as a gift for children," they told "Vijesti".
The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation told "Vijesti" that they were not aware of the contents of the packages provided by the Municipality.
"The materials you mention are not part of the textbooks or textbook literature used in the educational process in schools," the department stated.
They state that only approved textbooks and teaching aids may be used in classes.
"As has been the practice so far, schools will only use textbooks and teaching aids from the list approved by the National Council for Education," the Ministry announced.
Entertainment material for home use
The institute, they replied to "Vijesti" yesterday, had previously offered the Municipality its own gift package, consisting exclusively of school supplies and no books. However, Budva did not choose it.
"Since they opted for the package they sent us, we, at their request, purchased it from the exclusive distributor for Montenegro," the Institute stated.
Asked whether such material had to go through the procedure of the National Council of Education in order to reach Montenegrin classrooms, ZUNS also claimed that the package was not intended for use in class, but at home.
"So, we are not talking about textbooks, workbooks or other materials used in the implementation of the teaching process. We are talking about materials of an entertaining and promotional nature, the kind that are freely available and that parents usually buy for their children," they stated.
Because of this, they claim, the material did not have to go through the approval procedure of the National Council for Education.
"This material is not subject to the approval procedure of the National Council of Education, as it is not teaching literature or a publication of the Institute for Textbooks and Teaching Aids. Our role in this case was solely to provide the product from the official importer for Montenegro, at the request of the Municipality of Budva," they replied.
They also emphasize that the official textbook set for first graders consists of textbooks and workbooks published by ZUNS and used in teaching, and that through official, state editions, students learn the alphabet "which is valid in Montenegro and has 32 letters."
The Institute said they understand that the gift may have caused some parents to have doubts.
"However, we consider it important that the public is informed of all the facts: this material is not a textbook or teaching material, is not intended for use in school, and is not part of the official textbook set that students receive from the Institute for Textbooks and Teaching Aids," they stated.
They also believe that no harm was done by distributing the packages to students, nor that the Municipality of Budva "had any other intention than to make all the first-year students happy."
How textbooks get to the desks
Member of the Parliamentary Committee for Education, Science, Culture and Sports, DPS MP Zoja Bojanić Lalović states that textbooks and teaching aids used by students in Montenegrin educational institutions, in accordance with the law, must be approved by the National Council and that procedure is clear.
"The only publisher of textbook literature is the Institute for Textbooks and Teaching Aids Podgorica, one of the institutions of the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, and everything that is prepared for students is published by this state institution. If anything is found in educational institutions that is not in accordance with applicable regulations and laws, the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation must provide an answer to that question," said Bojanić Lalović.
In order for a new textbook or teaching aid to reach the desks of Montenegrin schools, it must go through the prescribed procedure of procurement, evaluation, and approval.
According to the current regulations, the Ministry, upon the proposal of the National Council for Education, determines which textbooks and teaching aids are needed for the implementation of educational programs, while the procedure for their acquisition and preparation is carried out by the Institute for Textbooks and Teaching Aids.
The manuscript is obtained through a public competition, after which it is evaluated by a professional review committee of five to seven members. The committee evaluates the manuscript and may request amendments, which the author must make before the procedure can continue.
After professional and other necessary processing, the application for approval with accompanying documentation is submitted to the National Council for Education. The final decision on whether the textbook can be used in teaching is made by the National Council, which issues a decision on approval for a specific subject, grade and type of school. Approval is granted for a period of at least four years.
According to the General Law on Education, an institution will be fined between 500 euros and 15.000 euros for a misdemeanor if, among other things, it uses textbooks and teaching aids contrary to national regulations.
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