At the sitting on 25 September, the Education Committee completed an agreement on the cooperation of the Committee and the Ministry of Education and acquainted itself with the planned activities of the Ministry.

The sitting was chaired by the Committee Chairman, Dr Zoran Sami.

The Minister of Education, Dr Zoran Loncar pointed out that the educational politics will rely upon three key decisions, beginning with the fact that this is a system of strategic significance, with a long and good tradition and that a gradual reform of the education and school system will be carefully designed.

Based on these decisions, according to Loncar, the Ministry will prepare a strategy of educational development with the goal of clearly defining the directions of educational development for a longer period, at least in the following ten years. Loncar’s proposition that a member of the Committee also takes part in the preparation of the strategy was endorsed by the Committee.

Legislation will also be an important segment of the upcoming Ministry activities. Bills on Pre-school Education, Textbooks and pupil standard are being prepared, as well as a Bill amending and modifying the Education Act, which will be submitted into procedure for the Assembly autumn session.

Planning the Ministry budget for 2008 is also a priority task, taking into account the proposals and suggestions of this Assembly body and other beneficiaries.

In the following discussion the Members of Parliament voiced several proposals and suggestions, and all participants were in agreement that daily cooperation and communication with the Ministry is necessary. Minister Loncar was also acquainted with the initiative of the Members of Parliament that the budget for the upcoming year includes funds for procurement of textbooks for all elementary and high-school students in Serbia (who would receive them free of charge), so as to begin realising the idea that education is an investment, not an expenditure.