Imagine this: universities in Serbia have been blocked for eight whole months! Yes, you read that right — eight months! Minister of Education Dejan Vuk Stanković can barely hide his frustration as he calls for the urgent lifting of faculty building blockades. Why? Because academic life is in chaos, and students and professors are trapped in this senseless political drama that’s destroying education.
The situation is that some faculties, like the University of Priština based in Kosovska Mitrovica, the State University in Novi Pazar, and faculties at universities in Niš and Kragujevac, have managed to organize classes and almost finish their teaching. But that’s the exception, not the rule! Most higher education institutions remain blocked, forcing students to cope with online classes or a mix of theoretical and practical lessons — far from ideal.
Minister Stanković is crystal clear: these blockades are illegal and represent political actions that undermine institutions. Faculty buildings are meant for teaching, exercises, consultations, and exams — not political games. Faculty administrations and university rectors have a moral duty to find a solution and enable normal operations. The government is ready to pay the material costs of running higher education institutions but demands a clear specification of these costs. Taxpayer money must not be wasted!
This blockade has dragged on for eight months, and the consequences are catastrophic. Students are losing precious time, teachers can’t do their jobs, and academic life is on the brink of collapse. All because of political conflicts and disagreements played out on the backs of young people and education. Is this normal? Absolutely not!
It’s time to end the blockades immediately. Academic life must function just like primary and secondary schools. No one should be denied the money they earned through hard work or their right to education. If this continues, Serbia will pay a price far greater than any political victory.
So, what do you think about this university chaos? Is it time for students to take matters into their own hands, or will they wait for someone else to fix it? Drop a comment, share your story, or just share this article if you’re fed up with this mess!
