Protests Erupt at Novi Sad's Historic Jovina Gymnasium Over Leadership Concerns

Parents, teachers, and students are protesting against the current leadership of Novi Sad's Jovina Gymnasium, claiming the institution is under threat, particularly from its director. The gymnasium, a symbol of education and civic spirit in Novi Sad for two centuries, has a rich history and has educated many prominent figures.

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It was prestigious to know. It was prestigious to learn. We were mischievous, and, of course, full of hormones and adrenaline, but it was a time and that school in particular was a school you went to learn, to know, and our professors developed that in us.

Actor Radoslav Milenković, an alumnus, described the school as a prestigious place where students learned and grew, emphasizing the dedication of its professors. Former volleyball player and sports psychologist Andrija Gerić echoed this sentiment, noting that most Jovina graduates pursued higher education and excelled in their fields, attributing this success to the broad knowledge and perspective gained at the school.

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People who finished Jovina, regardless of whether they were excellent or very good, almost all later finished university and were great at their universities. So we really got some knowledge and some breadth there that later helped us in life, whatever we did.

However, the gymnasium's reputation has been marred by recent controversies involving its director, Radivoje Stojković. The school's choir, founded in 1828 and known for its international performances, faced public backlash in 2015 when it performed at a rally for the ruling Serbian Progressive Party. Stojković, the then and current director, defended the choir's participation in political events.

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The choir performed at a whole series of rallies. It sings the anthem and leaves.

Further accusations against Stojković include allegedly intimidating students and involving police during protests and blockades organized by students and faculty after a tragedy in Novi Sad. During these blockades, he reportedly continued holding classes for a small number of students. The article also points to a grammatical error on the school's facade, which has become an informal identifier for a protest camp.

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And political parties'.