Fiscal consolidation at work: impact on the Serbian education sector

The ESPN Flash Reports are produced by the European Social Policy Network (ESPN) established in 2014 to provide the European Commission with independent information, analysis and expertise on social policies. The topics presented in the Flash Reports are identified by ESPN experts in the light of significant developments in their countries, or in some cases suggested by the Commission.

The ESPN is managed by LISER and APPLICA, with the support of OSE - European Social Observatory. For more information, please visit this website.
A new Law on temporary reduction of wages of public employees, applicable from November 2014, brought on the longest ever strike in the education sector in Serbia. As a result, classes were shortened by 15 minutes in around a quarter of elementary and secondary schools, while unsuccessful negotiations with the relevant Ministry carried on until the end of April 2015. This has led to lowering the quality of education and delaying the proposed reforms.

Author: Ljiljana Stokic Pejin