Serbia’s education ministry has proposed a series of amendments to the Law on the Foundation of the Education System that critics say would curtail the ability of teachers, pupils and parents to act collectively and challenge social injustices. The changes were presented in a public debate held on 5 August, a meeting attended by representatives of secondary schools and teacher bodies, according to reporting by BIRN.
Teachers and school representatives say amendments are more than ‘cosmetic’
Those who took part in the ministry’s session dispute the ministry’s description of the changes as merely "cosmetic". Ana Dimitrijevic, president of the Forum of Belgrade Gymnasiums, told BIRN the ministry’s explanations underestimated participants’ concerns and avoided precise definitions of key clauses.
“They mostly underestimated our intelligence by explaining basic things we all know very well and pretended they didn’t understand why the fuss, when the amendments are cosmetic and not so important,”
Dimitrijevic said that when participants requested clear definitions of some provisions the ministry replied "It goes without saying", a response she and others found inadequate because the implications are not self-evident, according to BIRN’s account.
Concerns focus on licences, assembly and parental involvement
Although the ministry framed the amendments as protective measures intended to prevent the "misuse" of schools, the education sector representatives who participated in the public debate characterised the changes as introducing significant new controls. BIRN reported that the draft amendments would:
- broaden the grounds on which teaching licences could be revoked;
- limit children’s right to assemble within school premises; and
- reduce parental participation in the education system.
These proposals come after more than 18 months of tensions between the Serbian government and educational institutions, a period in which schools and universities have played visible roles in public protests. Critics argue the timing and substance of the legal changes risk further politicising schools and shrinking spaces for civic engagement among young people.
What the proposed law changes mean in practice
Because the ministry presented the amendments during the summer holiday, educators said there was limited immediate opportunity for broad consultation across the sector. BIRN’s reporting indicates that some education workers view the package as an attempt to tighten state oversight of classroom activities and to reduce organised dissent within schools.
| Proposed change | Reported effect |
|---|---|
| Wider grounds to revoke teaching licences | Increased risk of disciplinary action against teachers engaged in contentious speech or protest |
| Limits on pupils’ right to assemble | Reduced ability for learners to organise demonstrations or collective actions on school grounds |
| Reduced parental participation | Less formal influence by parents in school decision-making and oversight |
At present, the precise legal wording of the draft amendments has not been reproduced in BIRN’s summary; the concerns emerge from the descriptions given at the public debate and from reactions by education sector representatives who attended. Those representatives said ministry officials characterised the proposed changes as uncontroversial, a portrayal the forum members rejected.
Wider implications for education and civic life
Observers and representatives quoted in the reporting warn that narrowing rights within schools can have broader consequences for democratic participation. Schools are often spaces where civic awareness and collective action are nurtured; any legal framework that constrains assembly, teacher speech or parental engagement could change how political and social issues are discussed and acted upon in the classroom.
The debate in Serbia highlights tensions that education systems internationally face between maintaining order and protecting civic freedoms. For parents, teachers and learners concerned about civic education and active citizenship, the details of such legal changes matter enormously. The way forward will depend on whether the ministry provides clearer definitions of the proposed clauses and whether the consultation process allows comprehensive input from education stakeholders.
