Professors, students, and citizens have been protesting for three consecutive days in front of the Serbian Government building against what they describe as political instrumentalization of education, erosion of autonomy, and degradation of higher education. Their main demands include the repeal of illegal amendments to the university work standards regulation, dissolution of the working group drafting the new higher education law, and adoption of budget quotas for university admissions by the end of June. The protests have involved traffic blockades and announcements that they will continue until demands are met. Similar demands and protests are reported elsewhere, highlighting that the regulation changes reduced scientific research work and increased teaching duties, leading to salary cuts for professors.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets emphasize the protests as a fight against political interference and neoliberal reforms that undermine academic freedom and quality of education. They highlight the negative impact on research and the precarious conditions of academic staff, framing the protests as a defense of public education and workers’ rights.
Center: Center-leaning sources report the protests factually, focusing on the demands of the professors and students, the government’s response, and the procedural aspects of the education reforms. They present both sides, noting the government’s rationale for reforms and the protesters’ concerns about autonomy and quality.
Right: Right-leaning media may frame the protests as disruptive and politically motivated, emphasizing the need for reforms to improve efficiency and competitiveness in higher education. They might criticize the protesters for resisting necessary changes and highlight the government’s efforts to modernize the system.
