At the sitting held on 17 July, the Poverty Reduction Committee considered in principle the Bill on the Bases of the System of Education and Upbringing and Bill on Textbooks and Other Teaching Aids. The sitting was chaired by Snezana Stojanovic-Plavsic, Committee Chairperson.

The State Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Tinde Kovac Cerovic, and Assistant Minister Vesna Fila explained the innovations these Bills introduce.

State Secretary Tinde Kovac Cerovic stressed that the new law aims at a more accessible, efficient and better education. The new law is harmonised with the legal legacy of the European Union, as well as the key development strategies adopted by the Government of Serbia.

Assistant Minister Vesna Fila said that the solutions contained in the Bill on Textbooks and Other Teaching Aids are harmonised with the Serbian Constitution and ensure a higher quality and greater variety of textbooks and teaching aids on the market.

The sitting was attended by representatives of the Coalition for inclusive education comprising various associations and initiatives for assistance to persons with developmental difficulties and disabilities. They pointed out the numerous problems in the education of children, students and adults suffering from these problems.

The Committee members estimated that the solutions contained in the Bills represent an improvement compared with current practice, and that they shall contribute to reach the set goals.

At the sitting, the Committee members also exchanged opinions on their current and upcoming activities.