Niš High-School Graduates Announce Protest Against Education Law Changes

High-school graduates in Niš have announced a protest against proposed amendments to Serbia’s education law, describing the measures as an attack on democratic activity in schools.

The protest will begin at 7 p.m. outside the Faculty of Law in Niš. Students, university students and citizens will then proceed to the Stevan Sremac First Niš Gymnasium.

The organizers said the proposed changes would bring “a series of draconian measures” that the authorities could use to suppress democratic and free-thinking activity in educational institutions. Their call stated: “An attack on education is an attack on the foundations of a society. A state that wants obedient schools, frightened teachers and silent students is not building the future, but destroying it.”

The citizens’ group Niš, My City and the Movement of Southern Serbia supported the protest. They described it as justified and important because, in their view, it concerns the future of the entire education system, not only pupils and teachers.

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An attack on education is an attack on the foundations of a society. A state that wants obedient schools, frightened teachers and silent students is not building the future, but destroying it.