General Principles of the Education System

The education system provides the following for all children, pupils and adults:

1. equality and accessibility of education without discrimination and segregation based on gender, social, cultural, ethnic, religious or other background, place of residence, financial or health status, developmental difficulties or impairments, or disabilities;
2. balanced quality education, based on the achievements of modern science, adapted to the age of a child, pupil or adult and to his/her personal educational needs;
3. education in a democratic and socially responsible institution, that fosters openness, cooperation, tolerance, awareness of the interconnection of cultures and civilizations throughout the world, commitment to basic moral values of justice, truth, solidarity, freedom, honesty and accountability, and which ensures full respect of the rights of the child, pupil and adult;
4. child- and pupil- oriented education through different forms of teaching, learning and evaluation, which would meet different needs of pupils, develop motivation for learning and raise the quality of achievements;
5. equal opportunities for education at all levels and in all types of education, in keeping with the needs and interests of children, pupils and adults, without any impediments to change, continuation and completion of education, and lifelong education;
6. adequate work-related training for pupils and adults which is in line with modern requirements of the professions that they are preparing for.

Through its organization and content, the education system also provides:

1. efficient cooperation with families by involving parents or guardians, for the purpose of successfully reaching the set educational goals;
2. different types of cooperation with the local community and the broader social environment, so as to achieve complete balance between the individual and social interest in education;
3. efficiency, economy and flexibility of the organization of the system aimed at producing the best possible performance;
4. openness to teaching and organizational innovations.

In achieving the principles, special attention is given to:

1. timely inclusion in preschool education;
2. adequate preparedness for schooling and for transition to the next education level;
3. opportunities for pupils and adults with exceptional abilities (gifted and talented children and adults), regardless of their financial status, to have access to adequate levels of education and institutions, as well as to identify, monitor and motivate exceptionally gifted pupils, as future scientific potentials;
4. opportunities for children, pupils and adults with developmental impairments and disabilities, regardless of their financial status, to have access to all levels of education in institutions, and for persons living in social welfare institutions, ill children and pupils, to exercise their right to education while in an institution, hospital or receiving treatment at home;
5. exercising of the right to education, without endangering other rights of the child or other human rights.

The Right to Education

Every person has the right to education.

The citizens of the Republic of Serbia are equal in exercising their right to education, regardless of gender, race, ethnic, religious, language, social or cultural background, financial status, age, physical and psychological constitution, developmental impairments or disabilities, political views or another personal features.

Persons with developmental impairments and disabilities are entitled to education which takes into consideration their educational needs, within the regular education system, within the regular system with additional individual or group assistance, or in special preschool groups, or at special schools, in accordance with this and pertaining laws.

Persons with exceptional abilities are entitled to education which takes into consideration their special educational needs, within the regular system, within special classes, or at special schools, in accordance with this and pertaining laws.

Foreign citizens and persons without citizenship are entitled to education under same conditions and in the same manner as stipulated for citizens of the Republic of Serbia.