The Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Srpska, Željka Stojičić, spoke yesterday with the Minister of Education of the Republic of Serbia, Slavica Đukić Dejanović, about concretizing the cooperation agreed at a joint meeting before the Pan-Serbian Assembly, when certain courses of action in the field of education were set.

‘We build on the Agreement on Special and Parallel Relations between the Republic of Srpska and Serbia and the signed memorandums. The activities will be focused on strengthening inter-institutional cooperation and cooperation between school management, teachers and students, aimed at its improving. The discussion dealt with the study of national subjects, which had been a priority also in the previous period, all in order to strengthen national values and identity,’ said the Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Srpska, Željka Stojičić, at the press conference held after this meeting.

The Minister of Education of the Republic of Serbia, Slavica Đukić Dejanović, stated her gladness that this meeting had taken place less than a month after the previous meeting and added that its main goal was to deepen cooperation in the field of education.

‘We agreed on 15 September to be the first day of teacher and student visits exchange between Serbia and the Republic of Srpska so that they can feel true hospitality and strengthen ties while staying with each other,’ said Đukić Dejanović.

‘There was a discussion about a national reader and a comment that those well-versed in their traditions, culture, language and art could respect all other nations and be a model for others. The national reader will be available in the first and second grades of primary school as a cross-curricular aid for youth education. It is necessary to educate primary and secondary school teachers in this regard and to send a message to the communities of national minorities that it is important to follow that path for mutual respect, especially in multinational environments,’ noted Đukić Dejanović.

The importance of improving creative thinking and understanding among the youngest children through school programs was also highlighted. The discussion also focused on the development of joint tests to be used for the evaluation and improvement of education; and programs of cooperation between the staff and associations of directors of preschool institutions and primary and secondary schools were concretized.

Source and photo: Republic of Srpska Government