Parents Demand Director's Dismissal at Novi Sad Gymnasium

Parents of students at the prestigious Jovan Jovanović Zmaj Gymnasium in Novi Sad are escalating their protest, planning to gather outside the Ministry of Education on Monday. They are demanding action regarding the dismissal of the school's director, Radiša P. Stojković, and the appointment of an interim leader by the provincial secretary.

The parents stated their intention to remain outside the Ministry until Minister Dejan Vuk Stanković agrees to meet with them. In a statement posted on Instagram, they expressed frustration, noting that the perceived decline in teaching quality, the engagement of unqualified personnel, retaliation against students and staff, and the displacement of students into three separate buildings have not been sufficient grounds for the director's removal.

Following the submission of comprehensive documentation to the minister, the parents are seeking a clear response on whether proceedings to dismiss Stojković will be initiated. They also demand a transparent explanation for why the Law on the Foundations of the Education System is allegedly not being applied at their school.

This planned protest follows a previous demonstration outside the Ministry on Friday. Parents had been promised a follow-up meeting with Minister Stanković on June 12, but no such meeting was scheduled. The initiative seeking Stojković's dismissal includes evidence of his alleged violations and actions that obstruct the work of the Parents' Council and the Teachers' Council.

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So far, we have seen that the decline in teaching quality, the engagement of unqualified staff, retaliation against students, teachers, and parents, the locking of the Gymnasium building, and the displacement of students into three buildings without proper grounds are not sufficient reason for dismissal.