In a letter sent to Ministerial Slavica Đukić Dejanović, the school directors stated that they had received written notices of suspension of work or cut classes from union presidents in their schools.
Respecting the regulations, but also based on many years of experience and successful management of institutions, they tried to find solutions that would not further deepen the already demanding situations and problems in schools, and that is why they did not make lists of employees.
"For us, the valid decision of the trade union is sufficient," say the members of the Association of School Directors of Serbia.
They say they understand and support the demands of their colleagues in their schools to improve their financial situation.
"We are certainly unpleasantly surprised by the division into teaching and non-teaching staff in schools. That division and the rejection of the requests requested by our colleagues contributes to the increase of problems that are normally present in the implementation of educational work in schools," the letter states.
The principals also addressed criticism for notifying students and parents about the strike.
"You pointed out to us, and you ask us not to inform students and parents about the suspension of work, and the entire public knew about the strike, and parents who themselves went through strikes as students know how to act in such a situation." The employees who stopped work or were on legal strike are the same job holders in all schools who achieve success in both domestic and international competitions and build a quality school with us. Also, the presidents of the unions in the schools are prominent teachers and our associates. We believe that the educational system in Serbia rests to a significant extent on the enthusiasm of all employees in our schools. Honorable minister, we don't have anyone better than them. Nor will there be any in the coming years, because it is interest in enrolling in teachers' colleges minimum", indicate from the Society of Directors.
They are preparing a procedure for dealing with the strike on October 2
The Association of School Principals of Serbia will hold a meeting on September 30 in connection with the strike of educators announced for October 2, after which a precise statement will be issued on the actions of the principal, Milibor Saković, director of the First School of Economics in Belgrade and member of the Management Board of that association, told FoNet.
Saković said that there are precise procedures for suspending work in schools and that everything is in the best order when they are respected.
"The Law on the Basics of the Education System defines everything related to the suspension of the work of employees. The president of the union informs the director, organizes duty and everything else. A legal strike implies that classes are not held, but that the teachers are with the children in the classroom," said Saković and added that all details and a reminder to the principals will be published after the meeting on September 30.
Saković also notes that all employees are obliged to take care of the safety of students, and assesses that what is happening now is "a fight between the Ministry and the trade union, and over the hump of school directors".
"There was no suspension of work for me on September 16. We have a report that children are eager for knowledge, and we have respected that. It will be the same on October 2," said Saković.
The representative educational unions decided to go on a one-day strike on October 2, stating that on that day there will be no classes in schools, nor admission of children to preschool institutions.
Educators and non-teaching staff employed in schools in Serbia protested last Monday, and since the government did not meet their demands for salary increases stipulated in the protocol signed last year, as well as changes to the Criminal Code and the payment of New Year's wages, they decided to go on strike again.
Source: Danas/Fonet
