Anđela Jakšić-Stojanović, PhD, Minister of Education, Science and Innovation
The Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation of Montenegro is central to ambitious reforms to modernise the education system, promote innovation, and enhance digital competencies. Minister Anđela Jakšić-Stojanović, PhD, discusses the ministry’s key priorities and strategic goals in our magazine. These include modernising curricula, developing vocational and dual education, digitising schools and universities, and creating a favourable environment for research and innovation. In the interview, she reflects on the steps being taken to ensure that education in Montenegro meets the challenges of the modern labour market and on measures to retain young talent and enhance the scientific research community. Moreover, inclusive education and international cooperation are becoming increasingly significant priorities in modern society, especially in small countries like Montenegro, which actively advocates for equal opportunities for all its citizens.
Mrs Jakšić-Stojanović, the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, is the focus of many reforms. What are the most important priorities in the reform of Montenegro’s education system, and how do you plan to ensure that they meet the needs of the modern labour market?
The priorities of the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation aim to create a modern, inclusive and high-quality education system that meets the contemporary needs of society and the labour market. Education reform aims to ensure knowledge, skills and competencies that will enable our students to succeed in a dynamic global environment, focusing on key areas such as modernisation of curricula, development of professional and dual education, digitisation, infrastructure improvement and introduction of bilingual teaching. By reforming curricula, we ensure that students acquire the knowledge and skills needed for the modern labour market, emphasising key skills of the 21st century, such as critical thinking, digital literacy and entrepreneurship. We promote STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), which are key to technological development and innovation. Our programmes are shaped by intensive cooperation with the economy, market analysis, and alignment of content with the needs of providing the most sought-after professions. Vocational education occupies a central place in our reforms. We tailor educational programmes to meet market demands, providing additional training and retraining opportunities. We encourage both young people and adults to adapt to changes in the job market. Our primary focus is on dual education, a model that equips students with practical skills through hands-on experience in companies, preparing them for swift employment. To support the implementation of this model, we are also enhancing collaboration with employers and reinforcing the legal framework. The digitalisation of education is a priority of the modern educational system. We are introducing digital tools, platforms, and resources that enable the acquisition of digital competencies while training teachers to apply modern technologies in teaching. By digitising textbooks and teaching materials, we ensure more straightforward and faster access to knowledge. At the same time, the development of digital portfolios allows students to showcase their skills to future employers.
Modernising educational infrastructure is essential for quality learning. We are investing in the reconstruction and equipping of schools, building new facilities, and creating spaces tailored to the needs of modern teaching. Classrooms are equipped with laboratories, IT devices, and workshops that provide students with practical experience, especially in vocational schools.
In addition to all these measures, we are also committed to strengthening career guidance by establishing Career Centres, which will provide students with information about the needs of the labour market and opportunities for career development. Our goal is to build an educational system through these reforms that not only meet the current needs of society but also proactively respond to future challenges.
The Law on Incentive Measures for the Development of Research and Innovation established the conditions for improving the scientific infrastructure, encouraging innovative projects, and strengthening cooperation between the academic sector, the government and the state. What further steps does your Ministry plan to take in that direction? Also, how do you plan to motivate young researchers to stay in Montenegro and develop their careers?
Incentive measures for developing research and innovation, specifically tax relief for entities engaged in or investing in innovative activities, are standard support measures for developing innovation activities worldwide. This type of support has been in place for three years in Montenegro, and it has financially benefited the innovation community by approximately 4.5 million euros through the state’s waiver of revenue, primarily by reducing corporate tax for investors in innovative activities and a small portion by reducing personal income tax for employees in start-ups and freelancers.
However, the initial implementation period revealed several challenges in implementing the legal solution, as well as the need to improve the effects of this type of investment, which is currently at a somewhat lower level. While discussing the short-term effects of investing in innovation may not seem easy, the mid-term report revealed some critical insights. Once funds were allocated for their intended purpose, it became clear that we needed to focus on educational initiatives. This can be achieved by registering innovation activities and selecting eligible innovation projects and programmes for incentives. Additionally, implementing a monitoring mechanism will help guide the development of the innovation community. Of course, success depends solely on the team’s full commitment to the development of innovation, the appropriate selection of mentors, and, when the need arises, the selection of suitable external organisations that work with the team on development.
After the latest changes in the tax reform through Europe Now 2, it is clear that a considerable incentive has been given to employment and that a separate solution for innovations in that part is unnecessary, considering that in the exemption from local revenues, the impracticality of some measures has been established, or that there are separate legal solutions that stipulate reliefs. Following the needs of the innovation community, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, we have prepared a new legal solution. The plans involve launching two incentives to the community, namely, a reduction in personal income tax for freelancers, inventors, and individuals who donate to innovation activities and a reduction in corporate income tax for those legal entities that reinvest funds in their own innovation programmes and projects or donate to innovation activities. The public discussion was held from November 1-20, 2024, after which the Law was sent for opinion to the Secretariat for Legislation and is in the phase of interdepartmental harmonisation. Besides the fact that the proposed incentives have been improved in terms of their easier implementation, the new solution proposes a clearer mechanism for monitoring the development of supported innovation programmes and projects, as well as a more substantial role of the Commission in that part with expert evaluation by external experts. Donations also give a particular incentive to licensed scientific research institutions and their programmes and projects. Also, the new solution is adequately aligned with the rules on state aid control. We believe this approach will achieve the desired effect of investing in scientific research and innovation activities through incentive measures.
Adopting the new legal solution entails a period of diligent and highly demanding work on establishing new mechanisms for recognising programmes and projects, mechanisms for monitoring their development, and a significant segment of alignment with state aid rules, for which our team is fully prepared.
The Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation recognises the importance of young talents in developing science and is taking a series of concrete steps to make Montenegro attractive to young researchers. At a time when the world is facing numerous challenges, investing in science and research is becoming increasingly important. Aware of this trend, Montenegro is actively working to create an environment conducive to activities on developing scientific research. One of the main goals is to attract and retain young talents in the country.
Through financial support, infrastructure development, the popularisation of science, and recognition of their work, an environment is being created that is attractive to young talents and allows them to realise their full potential. This approach not only strengthens the scientific community in Montenegro but also contributes to the overall development of society.
Through a series of initiatives, the ministry creates an environment supporting the development of scientific research. Young researchers have the opportunity to advance through scholarship and grant programmes, allowing them to dedicate themselves to their research. Excellence scholarships for doctoral research enable young researchers to develop their careers in Montenegro, while research grants promote excellence, strengthen national scientific research teams, support interdisciplinary projects, and encourage collaboration with foreign institutions. Through mobility programmes, young scientists gain valuable experience in renowned global scientific centres, enabling them to expand their knowledge and establish international contacts. Returning to Montenegro with new knowledge and experiences strengthens the domestic scientific community.
Additionally, support for investment in the modernisation of research infrastructure creates ideal conditions for conducting top-tier scientific projects. Excellence is also rewarded, and young researchers can be recognised for their scientific contributions.
Investing in young researchers is a long-term investment in the country’s future. Montenegro can attract and retain the best young minds by creating a favourable environment and providing necessary support, thus ensuring its sustainable development.
Digital transformation is an indispensable part of modern education. What is the Ministry undertaking to accelerate the digitisation of schools and universities and increase the availability of modern technologies to students and teachers?
The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation is working at an accelerated pace on digitising the education system, especially since the December 2021 adoption of the Strategy for the Digitisation of the Education System 2022-2027 . This strategy has three key strategic goals, primarily focusing on improving the quality of education and providing all students with access to the latest technological resources to prepare them for a job market that is becoming increasingly demanding each year. The strategic goals are:
Improvement of the Education Information System (improvement of legal regulations; enhancement of hardware infrastructure; development and improvement of software components; enhancement of data processing, usage, accuracy, and reliability; establishment of interoperability and development of electronic services; improvement of personnel structure)
Development and Improvement of the Digital Ecosystem (establishing a mechanism for planning and development; improving legal regulations; enhancing computer infrastructure in educational institutions; developing digital educational content; establishing a platform for self-learning; improving online collaboration in all educational institutions)
Development and Enhancement of Digital Skills and Competencies (raising the level of digital skills and competencies of employees in educational institutions; raising the level of digital skills and competencies of students with a special focus on children and youth from vulnerable groups; improving the safe use of technology; enhancing digital skills and competencies and the application of digital technologies through promotional campaigns).
This year, the Government adopted the 2024-2025 Action Plan to implement the aforementioned strategy. During 2024, the Ministry made significant investments in the infrastructure of educational institutions. 6.8 million euros were allocated to purchase computer equipment for primary and secondary schools. This purchase provided 5,155 computers, 1,133 laptops, 1,806 TVs, 516 projectors and 455 printers.
One of the most important innovations in the digitisation process is the introduction of EdTech laboratories in primary and secondary schools. In the first half of the year, 32 EdTech laboratories were established, and currently another 70 laboratories are in the process of being established. These specialised rooms are equipped with advanced technology such as robots, 3D printers, micro:bit devices and PET recyclers. They are intended for children of all ages, and the goal is to develop skills that are directly related to the labour market, such as creativity, cooperation, programming, robotics, entrepreneurship and many others. In addition to the aforementioned hardware prerequisites, an interdisciplinary programme is being developed to increase the use of technologies in order to prevent the accumulation of technology that is not used for educational purposes. At the same time, a large number of online courses are created and placed on the “Digital School” portal, more precisely on the “Digionica” platform, as support for students and teachers for work in the laboratory. The aforementioned EdTech laboratories are an integral part of the “Digital School” concept, which also includes resources for online collaboration (Office365) as well as resources for independent online learning through online courses (“Digionica” platform). Currently, there are 1191 online courses on the “Digionica” platform, which include almost 13,000 lessons.
Furthermore, as part of the project “Digital, inclusive and transformative: Quality education for Montenegro“, which the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation jointly implements with UNICEF, UNESCO and ILO with the financial support of the Fund for Accelerated Development of Montenegro ( MAF) organised the following trainings:
• 142 teachers – Media literacy as a key competence in education (two-day training)
• 149 teachers – Use of Microsoft Office 365 (two-day training)
• 170 ICT coordinators – Application of the Digital School concept (oneday training)
• 202 ICT coordinators – Analytics in Microsoft Office365 and analytics in Microsoft Teams (one-day training)
• 33 teachers for the Programming in Scratch programme (two-day training) – the training will be implemented in 2024
In the coming period, it is planned to continue training for the use of Office 365, as well as training for: 3D modelling, use of PET recyclers, use of SELFIE tools for schools and teachers, etc.
In addition to the above, intensive work is being done on the improvement of the Education Information System, interoperability and the improvement and development of electronic services. During this year, 33,274 requests were submitted electronically: for the enrolment of children in preschool institutions, the first grade of primary or secondary school, music schools, faculties, homes and for exercising the right to a scholarship or loan. This significantly reduces administrative pressure, and processes become faster and more efficient. And finally, it is important to mention that, with the aim of a more complete and high-quality analysis of the education system, the data from the Information System of Education, which contains students’ achievements, as well as the results from the external knowledge assessment, were linked with the results of the PISA test, and preconditions were created that, based on new analyses, appropriate steps can be taken to improve the educational system.
Looking to the future, we will continue to invest in additional training and digitisation, with the goal that all educational institutions, regardless of their size or resources, have access to the latest technologies. Also, in the coming years, efforts will be made to improve the analysis of the education system by connecting data from different sources, which will enable more precise monitoring of student progress and making informed decisions for the improvement of the education system. Developing digital skills and competencies will continue to be a priority, as we believe that this is the key to building a competitive and successful society that can respond to the challenges of the future.
This ambitious digitisation plan is not only an investment in infrastructure, but also in people and their skills, to enable all students, regardless of their social or economic status, to have an equal chance to succeed in the digital age.
There is no doubt that inclusive education represents one of the important challenges in today’s society. Therefore, what are the further plans of the Ministry to support the education of children from marginalised and minority communities, as well as children with developmental disabilities?
The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation is committed to providing inclusive education and creating equal opportunities for all students, especially for vulnerable groups such as the Roma and Egyptian population, children with special educational needs and students from other linguistic backgrounds. Through a series of measures, programmes and policies, the Ministry continuously improves the education system in order to meet the specific needs of these groups.
We provide special support to Roma and Egyptian children through free stays in preschool institutions and the organisation of promotional campaigns that explain the benefits of preschool education to parents. In rural areas, we have established interactive services that enable children aged 3 to 6 to attend preschool activities three times a week in the premises of schools or local communities. At the level of elementary schools, we provide free transportation for students, and in order to improve conditions, we have acquired a new minibus vehicle. In addition, every year the Ministry announces a competition for awarding scholarships to high school students and students from the RE population, whereby this year’s scholarship for students has been increased from 225 to 300 euros. Dormitories of pupils and students ensure up to five percent of the capacity for accommodation of RE students, students with disabilities and beneficiaries of material security.
In the field of inclusion of children with special educational needs, Montenegro has a solid legal and strategic framework. The Law on the Education of Children with Special Educational Needs, as well as the Inclusive Education Strategy 2019-2025, are the basis for the inclusion of these children in the regular education system. The number of children with special educational needs in regular primary schools is continuously increasing, while the number of children in resource centres is decreasing, which indicates positive changes towards full inclusion. However, in secondary education this process is slower. In order to support inclusion, 517 teaching assistants were hired at all levels of education, and through projects such as the application of DAISY digital textbooks for students with sensory disabilities and the distribution of tablets with the C-board application for preschool institutions, Montenegro received international recognition for innovative practices. We enable children from other linguistic backgrounds to intensively learn the language in which they are taught, using school resources, while peer support facilitates their socialisation and adaptation to a new environment. We pay special attention to the provision of didactic and digital materials in the Albanian language in order to overcome language barriers.
Our plans for the future include the further development of inclusive policies through the new Education Reform Strategy 2024–2035 and the “Quality Education for All Children” project. Activities such as strengthening the capacity of teachers and professional associates to work with vulnerable groups, establishing support centres within schools equipped with assistive technologies, improving intersectoral cooperation in providing holistic support to students and conducting campaigns to strengthen social awareness of the importance of inclusion are foreseen.
Our goal is to ensure quality and equal education for all children through these measures, reduce discrimination and provide them with equal opportunities for development and progress.
After meeting with H.E. Ambassador of Austria to Montenegro, Dr. Christian Steiner, you emphasised the importance of cooperation between Montenegro and Austria, as one of the leaders in the field of education and innovation in Europe. In addition, what are the Ministry’s plans for strengthening international cooperation and how will it contribute to the quality of education and innovation in the country?
When it comes to cooperation with the Republic of Austria, the Ministry has been successfully cooperating with competent Austrian institutions in the field of education since 2010. For example, a few days ago the final conference of the project “Improving the quality of vocational education through strengthening the role of practical education organisers” was held, which was the result of cooperation between the Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalization, the Centre for Vocational Education of Montenegro and the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation , whose goal is to improve the quality of vocational education as a key factor for strengthening the economy and ensuring a better future for the young generation, through strengthening the role of organisers of practical education of crucial importance for the development of students’ competencies, which contributes to their competitiveness on the labour market. On the other hand, in the field of science, the bilateral Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation has been in force since 2009, and its implementation has brought about the successful implementation of 52 bilateral projects, while the implementation of projects within the seventh consecutive joint competition, a total of 9 , worth 90,000.00 euros. Montenegro is certainly focused on strengthening cooperation with the Republic of Austria in the field of innovation, and the current trend will continue in the future.
When it comes to international cooperation in general in the field of science and innovation, its importance and recognition in the context of Montenegro’s development in these areas and full integration into the European Research Area (ERA) is indicated by the fact that the new Strategy for Scientific Research Activities 2024-2028, as one of the three strategic goals, determined the strengthening of international cooperation and encouraging participation in European programmes for science, research and technological development. The set of measures that supports the development of this strategic goal refers to both bilateral, multilateral and regional cooperation, as well as encouraging participation in EU programmes: the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation “Horizon Europe”, the EUREKA programme, the COST programme and the EU programme ” Digital Europe”. Special attention is paid to access to major research infrastructures, such as CERN, the European Laboratory for Molecular Biology and the Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.
In the area of education, the successful implementation of projects within the Erasmus+ programme, such as Eurydice, YouthWiki, EPALE, etc., will continue, as well as participation in various regional initiatives such as the Regional Fund for Challenges, through which in the previous 3 years with 3.25 million euros grants supported a total of 7 projects of Montenegrin secondary vocational schools.
March 2024 marked the beginning of the reform project “Quality education for every child in Montenegro”, which is implemented in partnership with the Ministry, UNICEF and the Delegation of the European Union in Montenegro. The goal of the project is the development of a comprehensive Strategy for the reform of education (2025-2035), which will define the vision of education, the main goals and the activities that need to be implemented in order to achieve them. In addition to the Strategy, the project includes a series of interventions aimed at improving the quality and fairness of education. The latest news in this area was the signing of the Grant Agreement, by which the EBRD provided 4 million euros in grants for the project “Energy Efficiency Improvements in Educational Buildings”.
A very important aspect is represented by the Instrument of Pre-Accession Support of the European Union for the period 2021-2027 (IPA III), within which, from the aspect of relevance for the field of science and innovation, it is important to note that Montenegro is the beneficiary of funds through the European Union’s Energy Support Package for Montenegro. through which the Programme for Encouraging Innovations in the Service of Energy Efficiency in Industry is implemented a joint programme of the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Energy, which is implemented by the Innovation Fund of Montenegro, followed by support within the framework of the EU Reform instrument through the project BEST-Public sector in Montenegro (Building an Effective Sustainable and Transformational Public Sector), but a grant scheme for the mobility of researchers in the green sector through the IPA Action Plan for 2024 is also being prepared. During 2024, Montenegro was very active in the field of international cooperation in the field of education, science and innovation, which resulted in numerous agreements: Programme on educational cooperation between the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation of Montenegro and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of China for the period 2024 -2027, as well as the Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Higher Education Certificates, the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Culture, Education, Science and Sports between the Government of Montenegro and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, The Agreement and Protocol between the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation and the Goethe-Institute Belgrade, as well as the Memorandum between the Goethe-Institute and the Centre for Foreign Languages and Translation Double L, the Memorandum of Understanding with the British Council, the Memorandum between the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation and the Peace corpus and joining the International Scientific and Educational Programme “Global Learning and Observation for the Benefit of the Environment” (GLOBE), the Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a scholarship scheme between the Ministry of Education, Science and the innovation of Montenegro and the College of Europe, Agreement on scientific cooperation between the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation and the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Memorandum on cooperation between Montenegro and the Kingdom of Bahrain in the field of science, innovation and technology. Also, in the final phase of harmonisation, there are agreements on educational, scientific and technological cooperation between Montenegro and France, Ukraine, then Bulgaria, Cyprus, while very intensive work is being done on bilateral agreements with Armenia, Moldova, Georgia, the United States of Mexico, Cuba and others.
The above is a confirmation of our openness to cooperation, which brings numerous benefits to Montenegro, and which will be our guide in our further work on improving the field of education, science and innovation.