Has the Rector of the University of Belgrade, Vladan Đokić, crossed the line between academia and politics? Dejan Vuk Stanković, an education expert, can’t stay silent about a problem troubling many – how can one man use the university as a political platform? While Đokić builds his opposition leadership, the University of Belgrade, long dysfunctional, turns into a playground for political games.
Stanković is clear: he has no problem with Đokić as a political figure, but he objects to the university being used for political work. He wants to see the rector as a leader of the university, coordinating all faculties and initiating teaching, not as a political leader.
At the same time, the Minister of Education announced changes to the textbook law that will standardize teaching and influence the formation of national consciousness among the youth. Subjects like language, culture, and history will gain special importance, and national minorities will have their own textbook sets, confirming the multicultural character of society.
According to Stanković, the education system has stabilized in the last three months. Universities in Novi Sad and Niš have already started exam activities, and the University of Belgrade is expected to follow soon. Students of the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad showed maturity by not obstructing exams, maintaining their political stance but not violating the right to education.
This situation raises the question: where is the line between politics and education? Should the university be an arena for political battles or a beacon of knowledge and progress? If you have thoughts, feel free to share – maybe together we’ll find the answer!
