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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Elementary education to take nine years as of September

Belgrade, 18 May 2006

Serbian Minister of Education and Sport Slobodan Vuksanovic announced today that starting from the next school year, elementary education in Serbia will last nine years since the so-called zero grade, or pre-school education, will be obligatory.

Slobodan Vuksanovic

At a press conference following the government session, Vuksanovic explained that the Bill on pre-school education, adopted by the government today, envisages a free-of-charge preparatory programme to be carried out in kindergartens or elementary schools.

He stressed that the ministry has invited all private baby-sitting agencies and services to acquire accreditation and register so as to be able to perform the pre-school programme, since almost none of these agencies has been properly registered.

According to Vuksanovic, once they do register, they will be completely on a par with state institutions of the same kind.

Aleksandar Popovic

Serbian Minister of Science and Environmental Protection Aleksandar Popovic said that the government passed four environmental related bills in its session today, namely the Bill on air protection, the Bill on waste management, the Bill on nonionised radiation and the Bill on environmental protection.

These regulations are fully harmonised with EU standards, Popovic noted but added that since there are many decrees and rule books to be made on the basis of these laws, their application will begin within six months to two years.

He expressed hope that by the end of July the government will discuss another set of environmental laws and that parliament will vote on them in autumn.