The participants of the public hearing were first addressed by the Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development, Prof. Dr Zarko Obradovic, who informed them that the Strategy was formulated based on clearly outlined long-term goals for the education in the Republic of Serbia. The Strategy has two basic roles to play – to provide the basis for the formulation of key laws and by-laws in the sphere of education and serve as a basic strategic instrument for the improvement of the existing situation in education, said Obradovic, adding that action plans for the realisation and definition of the goals of the strategic document are currently being prepared.
Prof. Dr Vlastimir Matejic, Prof. Dr Ivan Ivic and Prof. Dr Ana Pesikan spoke of the methodology employed to draft the strategy. It was said that the Strategy aims to set the foundation for the development and education of each individual thus stimulating the development of a society based on knowledge. The fact that the strategic document covers education in its entirety, from nursery-school to doctoral studies, is a very important segment of the Strategy. The introductory speakers stated that the creation of an efficient education system calls for an interaction between the education system and the business and research system.
The discussion in which MPs Bozidar Djelic, Neven Cveticanin, Miljenko Dereta and Vladimir Marinkovic took part, revolved around the need to define knowledge for the 21st century by harmonising the education system and the needs of the economy. The MPs discussed the methodology used to draft the strategy, vocational high-school education, quality of practical education, control of the implementation of the Strategy’s strategic directions, as well as the need to foster the spirit of entrepreneurship among elementary and high-school students.
In the second part of the public hearing, the participants were addressed by Prof. Dr Vera Dondur, Prof. Dr Dragan Domazet and Prof. Dr Borivoje Rodic who spoke of the system of higher education which covers higher vocational and academic studies. It was said that Serbia has joined the European Education Space in 2003 thus taking over the obligation to harmonise its education system with the European one. The introductory speakers stated that there are two ways to improve the quality of education, viz. drafting and adoption of appropriate regulations, laws and by-laws, then control and supervision, as well as stimulation of competition which would boost the quality and efficiency of the education system in Serbia.
The President of the National Council for Higher Education, Prof. Dr Srdjan Stankovic pointed out that more thought should be given to the debate on the Action Plan for the implementation of the goals outlined in the Strategy, the drafting of which should include the members of the Committee on Education, Science, Technological Development and the Information Society.
The participants of the discussion agreed that the education system in the Republic of Serbia should be adjusted to the needs of the labour market i.e. that only an analysis of the market trends can provide an overview of the necessary educational profiles. The Education Strategy should comply with the country’s development strategy so as to boost overall economic development, it was said in the discussion.
The MPs and other participants of the public hearing also discussed the issues of digital literacy of the teaching staff, nostrification of university diplomas, efficiency of the Bologna process and the need for lifelong learning.
The public hearing gathered the members of the Committee on Education, Science, Technological Development and the Information Society and other concerned MPs, representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development and representatives of the broad scientific and professional public.