Teachers in Čačak Face Uncertain Return to Classrooms Amid Ongoing Strike
Schools in Čačak have been largely closed since December, with calls for teachers to return to the classroom meeting resistance.
As the educational landscape in Čačak remains tumultuous, local parents are expressing growing concern over the prolonged closure of schools, which has persisted since the start of the second semester.
Teachers from the Čačak Education Union initiated a strike on the first day of the new term, demanding that the Ministry of Education meet their requirements made back in October of the previous year.
Only a few schools, including one primary school and two rural institutions, have been operational during this time.
Parents are facing significant financial strain as they resort to private tutoring for their children, who have not received formal education since December 2022. One parent, who requested anonymity, revealed that their monthly income of approximately 160,000 dinars barely allows them to cover private tutoring costs, which have become a necessity following the absence of regular classes.
They noted that their children attend lessons with the same teachers responsible for their curriculum, stating it was the most economical option.
In group sessions, the cost per student ranges from 1,000 to 1,200 dinars, while individual lessons are priced between 1,500 and 2,000 dinars, depending on the subject and instructor.
Additionally, preparatory classes for architecture and arts faculty admissions can range from 30 to 40 euros.
This financial burden comes on top of existing knowledge gaps exacerbated by prior remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The absence of regular schooling has compelled some parents to explore transfer options for their children.
However, attempts to relocate students have faced opposition from school administration, fearing a mass exodus could follow any individual transfers.
Despite the ongoing strike, a faction of teachers from the Secondary Technical School took the initiative to conduct lessons without union consent.
Out of 105 staff members, only 25 participated, resulting in low student attendance due to unclear communication about the strike's status.
In contrast, OŠ "Vuk Karadžić" was the only school in Čačak that officially resumed classes, having terminated the strike recently.
The school's director confirmed that regular classes would resume, marking the first session of the second semester after a hiatus exceeding 40 days.
This decision was reached collectively two days prior.
This week, staff meetings are scheduled in both primary and secondary schools throughout Čačak, where educators will individually decide whether to return to work.
The same discussions are taking place among representatives of the Čačak Education Union, although no official decision regarding a return to classrooms has been announced as of yet.
Teachers from the Čačak Education Union initiated a strike on the first day of the new term, demanding that the Ministry of Education meet their requirements made back in October of the previous year.
Only a few schools, including one primary school and two rural institutions, have been operational during this time.
Parents are facing significant financial strain as they resort to private tutoring for their children, who have not received formal education since December 2022. One parent, who requested anonymity, revealed that their monthly income of approximately 160,000 dinars barely allows them to cover private tutoring costs, which have become a necessity following the absence of regular classes.
They noted that their children attend lessons with the same teachers responsible for their curriculum, stating it was the most economical option.
In group sessions, the cost per student ranges from 1,000 to 1,200 dinars, while individual lessons are priced between 1,500 and 2,000 dinars, depending on the subject and instructor.
Additionally, preparatory classes for architecture and arts faculty admissions can range from 30 to 40 euros.
This financial burden comes on top of existing knowledge gaps exacerbated by prior remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The absence of regular schooling has compelled some parents to explore transfer options for their children.
However, attempts to relocate students have faced opposition from school administration, fearing a mass exodus could follow any individual transfers.
Despite the ongoing strike, a faction of teachers from the Secondary Technical School took the initiative to conduct lessons without union consent.
Out of 105 staff members, only 25 participated, resulting in low student attendance due to unclear communication about the strike's status.
In contrast, OŠ "Vuk Karadžić" was the only school in Čačak that officially resumed classes, having terminated the strike recently.
The school's director confirmed that regular classes would resume, marking the first session of the second semester after a hiatus exceeding 40 days.
This decision was reached collectively two days prior.
This week, staff meetings are scheduled in both primary and secondary schools throughout Čačak, where educators will individually decide whether to return to work.
The same discussions are taking place among representatives of the Čačak Education Union, although no official decision regarding a return to classrooms has been announced as of yet.
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