Brnabić: “Teachers’ salaries will reach €1,030” — teachers respond: “an existential worry”

A televised debate between Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabić and University of Arts rector Mirjana Ilić has put the state of Serbian education back at the center of attention, as Nova.rs reports. Brnabić claimed the education system has flourished under the rule of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and Aleksandar Vučić, with teachers’ salaries rising every year according to her — from €391 in 2012 to €1,030 to be reached in December 2026.

Teachers and their unions describe a completely opposite reality: mass dismissals at the “Jovina” high school in Novi Sad, at the Fifth Gymnasium in Belgrade and at primary schools; the staff of the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš have not been paid for two months and are entering a third month without salary “with no explanation”; suspensions, disciplinary proceedings, insults and pressure.

Dušan Kokot, teacher and president of the NSPRS union, says that in 2012 a teacher earned nearly three minimum wages (2.90), while today they earn only 1.5 — “a disgrace.”

Professor Natalija Jovanović of the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš says professors must fight in court for constitutionally guaranteed salaries, calling it an “attack on the intelligentsia.” Teacher Nadežda Mijić (English, primary school) says around 60 professors of the prestigious “Jovina” gymnasium face dismissal by director Stojković, who is closing departments; the largest school in Belgrade’s Mirijevo started the school year late last September because of an unqualified director; the director of the “20. oktobar” school has also dismissed several teachers; while a longtime colleague at the Fifth Gymnasium was expelled “like a dog, escorted by security.”