Rector of the University of Belgrade, Vladan Djokic, addressed the Ministry of Education with a request to allow the University of Belgrade online teaching, write pro-government tabloids.
"Taking into account the current situational restrictions, which result in the impossibility of realizing all forms of teaching and maintaining examination deadlines, as well as the commitment of the University of Belgrade - Studies at the University to ensure that the entire teaching process takes place smoothly and to the full extent, we hereby turn to you with a request to give your consent for the rest of the teaching process in the school year 2024/25 to be held according to the online teaching model. We believe that in this way all students would also have the opportunity to make up for the missed content of each teaching subject (theoretical and practical teaching), which would allow the intended goals and learning outcomes to be fully achieved. We also believe that the proposed model would in no way affect the quality of the classes held and that all students would be given the opportunity to fulfill the pre-examination obligations, and thus to take the exams regularly during the exam periods," reads the request to the Ministry of Education of Rector Vladan Đokić, writes Novosti.
However, after the announcement in the media close to the government, BU rector Vladan Đokić spoke up and clarified what it was about.
"In connection with the announcement in the media that on behalf of the University of Belgrade, I have asked the relevant Ministry for permission to conduct online classes, I would like to clarify to the interested public. This request only applies to multidisciplinary study programs that take place at the University, and not in individual higher education institutions that are members of the University of Belgrade. Each higher education institution independently decides on the need to initiate this procedure," said Vladan Đokić.
At the same time, while there is a controversy at the University of Belgrade about the introduction of online classes, in Srbobran, three female professors from the "Svetozar Miletić" high school in Srbobran were fired after suspending classes in support of the students.
Dismissal for supporting rebellious students
The teachers Slavica Filipović, Vesna Verkić and Mirjana Mihajlov were dismissed, and the school principal Jasmina Crveni, after the disciplinary meeting held on May 19, posted the decision on the dismissals on the bulletin board even though the teachers have returned to classes, according to the announcement of the United Education of Serbia on Instagram.
The disciplinary measure "termination of employment" was imposed on the Serbian language teacher Filipović and mathematics and IT teachers Vrekić and Mihajlov, who are employed at the school for an indefinite period, portal 021 reports.
In the decision signed by Principal Crveni, it was stated that they committed a serious breach of duty in the way that "during the working hours of classes, they unjustifiably and unlawfully suspended the performance of duties in the period from February 25 to April 22, thereby realizing the signs of a breach of duty".
It is also added that no extenuating circumstances have been established, and an appeal can be filed against that decision within 15 days from Tuesday, May 27.
Slavica Filipović, who has been employed at that school for more than two decades, told 021 that she will appeal against this decision, but that, given that "the school board is also made up of members of the Serbian Progressive Party", she believes that they will make a different decision.
"After that, of course, we will demand our rights in court. It's just that we won't have a salary while the whole court procedure is going on," said Filipović and added that the collective is quite upset by this decision.
