Divjak: 400 million kuna more secured for teachers, but working conditions are also important

Minister of Science and Education Blaženka Divjak stated on Tuesday that based on negotiations, approximately 400 million kuna more has been secured for teachers and that she expects a new Expert Working Group to be appointed in November, as planned.

In an interview for N1, the minister also commented on Prime Minister Plenković’s decision to lead the Special Expert Commission for the implementation of the Education, Science, and Technology Strategy.

– Those responsible for the reform must participate in decision-making. The fact that the minister is a co-chair and a member of the commission is good. The strategy is set up so that the prime minister appoints the leadership, and his leadership gives special weight and puts the reform in the foreground, and I expect the engagement and support of the prime minister in the way we had to plan actions. It is important for ensuring not only support but also securing financial conditions that the prime minister is involved, emphasized Divjak.

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When asked to comment on the fact that politicians are at the head of the Commission, while depoliticization has been announced, the minister responded that “depoliticization does not mean that in the Special Expert Commission, which is responsible for coordination and preparation, there are no people responsible for the functioning of the system.” She added that she will insist that the heads of institutions mentioned in the Strategy be included in the Commission.

When restructuring the Special Expert Commission, it is necessary to appoint a new Expert Working Group, emphasized Minister Divjak. “The existing system was incomplete and non-functional. It is realistic to expect that the competition will be in October. All submitted applications need to be processed, and we expect to have a new Expert Working Group in November, as planned,” said Divjak.

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Regarding the announced introduction of computer science in schools, the minister confirmed that the equipment will be put into operation this year. “It will be financed from the state budget, but also from European funds,” she noted, adding that quality foundations and projects need to be prepared. She stated that we have around 300 million kuna available from the funds.

– If we go with a pilot next year, and we successfully pilot all of this, then the reform goes to all schools. There are segments of the system that are not discussed much, and one part is related to vocational education, said Divjak.

As for teachers, she emphasized that approximately 400 million kuna more has been secured for them based on agreements and negotiations.

– However, it is important to emphasize that not only salaries are important; working conditions and education planned for teachers are equally important to them as salaries are, the minister emphasized.