No university enrolment in June due to blockade – Minister

Serbia’s Minister of Education Dejan Vuk Stankovi stated on 21 May that, due to the months-long blockade and the fact that classes have not been held at universities and schools, enrolment in higher education institutions cannot take place in June. This is because entrance exams are typically held only after the completion of the academic year, reports Tanjug.

Speaking to the Tanjug news agency, Stankovi emphasised that, in line with the Law on Higher Education and the principle of university autonomy, the scheduling of classes, entrance exams, enrolment procedures, and the start of the new academic year falls exclusively under the jurisdiction of higher education institutions. He noted that first-year students can be enrolled only after institutions have fulfilled their obligations regarding makeup classes and postponed exam periods.

“Changes to the academic calendar are inevitable … The ministry and the government of Serbia will accept all proposals from university authorities regarding calendar adjustments, because our goal is to ensure that students and their parents have access to a normal and uninterrupted academic experience,” the minister stressed.
Full report on the NIN site

Meanwhile, AFP reports that Serbian students leading an anti-corruption movement that has rocked the Balkan country for months maintained the pressure on Friday 16 May with a march in the western city of Loznica – the first major protest since their call for early elections. Many arrived the night before on foot from across Serbia and were welcomed by residents with flags and fireworks. The country has been shaken by months of protests sparked by the deaths of 16 people when a newly renovated railway station roof collapsed in the northern city of Novi Sad in November last year – a tragedy widely seen as the result of deep-rooted corruption.
Full report on the MSN site