Serbia: Teacher's bid to return to work denied amid legal delays

A math teacher in Trstenik, Nela Spasojević, is caught in a protracted legal battle after being dismissed from her position at the Technical School. Spasojević faces dismissal for allegedly hindering student education by not conducting classes during the second semester of the previous academic year.

Despite her lawsuit against the school, the Basic Court in Trstenik has rejected her plea for a temporary measure to return to teaching pending the final court decision. This marks the third denial of her request, with the Higher Court in Kruševac having sent the case back for reconsideration twice. The legal process has been ongoing since last year, with no preparatory hearing yet concluded.

Spasojević, who has dedicated 28 years to the Technical School and was recognized for her creative teaching methods, feels the prolonged legal proceedings are designed to exhaust her financially. "Now I think this is just to pile up as many material costs for me as possible. To bring me to the brink of existence. And to give up the whole story," she stated.

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Now I think this is just to pile up as many material costs for me as possible. To bring me to the brink of existence. And to give up the whole story.

While another dismissed professor from the same school had their request for a temporary return to work approved, Spasojević's has been consistently denied. The Higher Court in Kruševac, in a response to inquiries, stated that all proceedings involving Spasojević have been concluded, a statement that contradicts the ongoing nature of her appeal. The case is now awaiting another review in September.

Spasojević maintains that she did not impede students' education, asserting that she and her colleagues continued to work with students during the class boycott, ensuring they successfully completed the academic year. The situation highlights a complex legal and professional dispute within the Serbian education system.

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I did not hinder the children's education and prevent them from getting educated. Like all my actions during the boycott and the actions of my colleagues, we constantly worked with the students. And they successfully finished that school year.