"Rebellious university": The Ministry of Education urgently needs to take a stand

Initiative "Rebellious University" she made a request Ministry of Education to take an urgent position regarding the safety of students and teachers in schools, and the text was signed by more than 360 employees at higher education institutions and scientific institutes.

The letter states that in December of last year, the Ministry of Education made a decision on the earlier end of the first semester, with the explanation that it was "in order to preserve the teaching process, as well as the interests and rights of students to education", and the decision was followed by an oral explanation from Minister Slavica Đukić Dejanović that "the safety of children, the quality of education and educational messages have been violated".

The letter indicates that the situation in education and society has only worsened in the meantime, because the Ministry of Education exerts various - not always legally based - pressure on teachers and principals of primary and secondary schools to end the suspension of classes, divisions are deepening both between teachers and between students and parents, tension is growing and conflicts are intensifying.

"Considering that, many school employees and other members of the school community are justifiably concerned about the safety of students and teachers in schools, as well as on the way to and from school, and therefore we believe that it is necessary for the Ministry of Education to make a statement regarding the issue of the safety of students and employees in schools," the memo states.

As it is pointed out, the Ministry should guarantee the safety of the actors of school life with full responsibility, and with a convincing explanation why the security situation is better now than it was in December, or inform the public that it cannot guarantee the appropriate level of safety for students and school employees.

"The Ministry will know whether for an informed answer to this question it needs to consult with the outgoing Government or with the services in charge of safety in society, and in any case we expect that the safety of students and employees in schools will be guaranteed by the Ministry of Education, because it is responsible for the work of schools and it made a decision in December to suspend the semester for security reasons," the letter states.

"If the Ministry does not urgently, and at the latest within three working days, send a written notification to schools guaranteeing safety in them and on the way to and from them, teachers and principals should not be expected to assume and bear responsibility for the safety of students, i.e. school employees", said the "Rebellious University".

Source: FoNet