Training

According to the law, everyone is guaranteed equal rights to education. A majority of children start at the age of six in the nine-year elementary school, which is compulsory and in principle free of charge, but you are often paid for such as school books. Nine out of ten pupils clearly attend elementary school. After this, students can choose a four-year high school, which gives admission to higher studies, or any vocational school / technical education of two to four years. Almost anyone over 15 can read and write.

• COUNTRYAAH: Country facts of Montenegro, including geography profile, population statistics, and business data.

Just over four percent of gross domestic product (GDP) goes to education. Investments are made on disadvantaged groups such as Roma children, who often drop out of school, and efforts are also being made to increase pre-school education.

The government has adopted a reform program that will run in 2016-2020, which will adapt the school system and teacher education to the EU standard and the requirements of the labor market. In practice, however, a lot of resources are lacking, both money and staff. The quality of education is also adversely affected by substandard school premises, and low teacher salaries contribute to corruption.

A university has been in Podgorica since 1974, but the standard of higher education still suffers from the isolation and financial problems of the 1990s in the wake of the wars and the sanctions of the world. There are also major shortcomings when it comes to research activities.

• Andyeducation: Introduction to education system in Montenegro, including compulsory schooling and higher education.

FACTS – EDUCATION

Proportion of children starting primary school

95.8 percent (2017)

Reading and writing skills

98.4 percent (2011)

2014

December

A new opposition party is formed

A new opposition party, the Citizens’ Movement, is formed by a number of high-ranking politicians, civil servants, professors as well as MPs who recently resigned from another opposition party, Positive Montenegro. The party leader is appointed former Vice President and leader of the Social Democratic Party, Žarko Rakčević. The party, which describes itself as Western-friendly, wants to work for a fair and equal society. It is possible to cooperate with anyone who wants to see a change in Montenegrin politics, which excludes Prime Minister Milo Ðukanović’s ruling Democratic Socialist Party.

November

The 2015 budget set

The state budget for 2015 is set at EUR 1.9 billion, a quarter higher than this year. The increase will primarily cover road construction and loan repayments. However, the government employees are not expected to receive any salary increases, which has led to strong reactions from the unions. These have demanded up to 30 percent salary increases for groups such as teachers, health care professionals and the military.

February

Demonstrations against the government

Inspired by people’s protests in neighboring Bosnia-Herzegovina, and after a rally in an informal Facebook group, around 300 protesters in Podgorica are trying to reach the government headquarters in the center of the capital. In the clashes that follow, at least nine police officers are injured, while 20 protesters are arrested. As in Bosnia, the protesters are blaming the government, whose resignation they demand, for the high unemployment rate, neglect of the economy and alleged corruption among politicians.