Today, the European Union has allocated EUR 27.4 million in grants to support the reform of the education system in Serbia.
"Serbian children deserve the same opportunities as children in the EU," said Johannes Hahn, the Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, on that occasion.
The Agreement on EU support to Serbian education system has been signed today in Brussels by DG NEAR Director for Western Balkans Genoveva Ruiz Calavera and Assistant Minister of European Integration Branko Budimir, in the presence of Minister Jadranka Joksimović and Commissioner Johannes Hahn.
This is the first such agreement that the EU has signed with a Western Balkan country.
"Serbian children deserve the same opportunities as children in the EU. That is why the support in the field of education is an important part of our enlargement agenda. It is an investment in our joint future, because Serbia belongs to the European family," said Commissioner Hahn at the signing of the Agreement.
The funds received will be allocated for adapting the education system in Serbia to suit the needs of the labour market, for improving the skills of teachers and supporting the education of the most vulnerable minority groups in the country.
The EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy said that around 40,000 teachers in Serbia would be trained according to new modern programmes, which would ensure high-quality lectures for students. At the same time, 4,000 teachers who teach in minority languages will receive special trainings, and special textbooks in minority languages will be printed. Special attention will be paid to the needs and support in the education of Roma children, of whom 7,000 will also receive scholarships.
Commissioner Hahn stressed that the funds would be used to improve the legal and institutional framework of the education system in Serbia, which would allow young people to receive education that meets the needs of the market and thus stay and find work in the country.
"This Agreement reflects the determination and ability of Serbia to improve its education system, as well as the EU's responsibility towards the citizens of Serbia, especially towards youth," Commissioner Hahn concluded.
Source: Tanjug
