Entrance exams at the University of Belgrade were completed, and at numerous faculties there are still many vacancies for freshmen, even on a budget.
During the analysis of the small responses, the fact that at the Faculty of Physics only one candidate took the entrance exam for the teaching major, that is, General Physics, stood out.
This means that the generation of 2025/26 will give birth to only one future generation the teacher or teacher PHYSICAL, if the freshman who opted for this major eventually decides to actually do that job.
A total of 155 candidates applied to this faculty, which offers 54 places for four majors.
Dean Radovanović: Traditionally, a small number of registered students
The dean of the Faculty of Physics in Belgrade, Voja Radovanović, confirms to "Vreme" that the usual low response to the teacher's course, the course for teachers and professors of physics in secondary and elementary schools.
"Traditionally, in the last few years, a very small number of students have applied there. This year, we enrolled only one, at least in this first enrollment period," explains Radovanović.
He adds that other majors are not filled either, but there is more interest.
"For example, 31 students applied for theoretical and experimental physics, and there are 50 places. We also have meteorology. There has also been a noticeable decrease in the number of students recently, which is paradoxical, because we live in an age where climate change is becoming very relevant. So our country needs meteorology studies, that is, such experts. As well as physics teachers, and physicists in general," the dean points out.
Without teachers there is no education
Only one candidate today means only one professor or teacher tomorrow, which is not enough. In this spirit, Radovanović explains to Vreme where such a situation is leading us.
He emphasizes that "if we don't have good teachers of physics and other subjects in schools, and we have been facing this for the last ten years, it inevitably leads to the collapse of education."
"For example, if you don't have good physicists and mathematicians, then you will cut off the branches of technical, technological and natural-mathematical faculties. Without good teaching of chemistry and biology, you will not have good doctors, pharmacists, dentists," explains the dean of the Faculty of Physics, adding that it is the same with other sciences.
"If you don't have primary and secondary education, that problem will await you very soon, because there will be generations that are worse and worse educated, and you won't be able to make good experts out of them tomorrow," Radovanović points out.
What demotivates candidates?
The interlocutor of "Vremena" cites several main reasons for the low response to courses that shape students into future teachers and professors.
"I think that one of the main reasons why there are few enrollments in professorships at all faculties that train professors is that, first of all, salaries are relatively low. And professors still graduate from very serious faculties. Secondly, the social position of professors in society is also very bad. The situation in schools is also quite bad," explains Radovanović.
He adds that it is known that most school principals are chosen by politics and the government, regardless of their expertise.
"Afterwards, they don't deal with how to hire the best possible staff. Teachers and professors are mistreated by the management, you have the attitude of students towards them, the attitude of parents. When all that is taken into account, it's not surprising that the number of students who enroll in professorships is very small," emphasizes the dean.
He adds that "the state needs to deal with that problem very seriously and emulate the countries that invest in education."
Faculty of Physics after blockades
Freshmen who opted for the Faculty of Physics should look forward to October without anxiety, because the situation at this higher education institution is slowly normalizing, as can be concluded from the dean's words.
"Students of the Faculty of Physics voted twenty days ago to get out of the blockades. Classes started in mid-June. For lectures and computational exercises, we conduct classes online. Experimental exercises are performed live. We organized this by setting aside two weeks during the semester where only experimental exercises would be performed, where students would be physically present in the laboratories," says Rdovanović.
He points out that this type of teaching is going smoothly for now and thinks that it is the only form of teaching that the faculty can now carry out.
"We could do the classes live, but the problem is that a large number of our students from the interior have canceled their apartments, so online classes suit them," he explains.
He adds that for the time being, one overdue exam period, January, has been realized, and that he is continuing with compensation.
"For the next one to four weeks, we will have lectures online, and then there will be the next deadline. I think we will make it. I hope, and it is very certain, that the next school year will start normally in the classrooms. I think we have to do it for the sake of the students, and then let them separate the teachers if they want to continue participating in the protests," concludes Dean Radovanović for "Vreme".
Weak interest in other faculties
Students with a sufficient number of points can enroll in the desired faculty by August 7 at the latest, and new enrollment deadlines will be organized for those with unfilled places.
At the Faculty of Mining and Geology, only 21 candidates took the entrance exam, although as many as 298 places are planned. The situation is similar to that at the Faculty of Physics, because only one candidate opted for the Geophysics major.
The Faculty of Physical Chemistry offers 100 places for freshmen, of which as many as 80 are budgetary. So far, 31 candidates have applied, and there are still 49 vacancies on the budget.
This year, the Faculty of Geography offered 250 places for six majors. However, the number of registered candidates is only 86, which is why the Administration of this faculty has already announced an additional enrollment period that begins on Wednesday, August 6.
At the Faculty of Forestry, 121 places out of the planned 340 have been filled. More than 200 vacant places are waiting for the second enrollment round in September.
The Faculty of Chemistry offers a total of 185 places, most of which are budgeted, but only 122 candidates applied.
The Faculty of Philology is half full. Out of a total of 1.393 vacancies, only 765 were filled.
134 candidates took the entrance exam at the Orthodox Faculty of Theology, as many as applied. This faculty offers 230 places.
The technical faculty in Bor, which belongs to the University of Belgrade, accepts 240 students, and, as the application list shows, 50 candidates are interested in it.
200 candidates applied to the Faculty of Agriculture, although 790 places were approved and planned.
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