“After ten years of lack of investments in maintenance of school facilities, on September 1st of this year, over
20,000 primary and secondary students in Kosovo and Metohija, attending classes in the Serbian language, will finally start the new school year on time and in completely renovated and outfitted schools. From the very start of its mandate this Ministry set it as its priority to renovate schools and kindergartens, which has now been fulfilled in total before the start of the new school year. Of course, the plan has been implemented in the cooperation with the Ministry of Education, the local self-governments and the school directors. Our goal is to provide the best possible conditions for education to the children in Kosovo and Metohija, and thus ensure conditions for the return of Serbs”, Minister Bogdanovic stated on the occasion of the start of the new school year.

"Naturally, we will not stop at this. We are planning a series of activities aimed to improve education of children in Kosovo and Metohija, but also activities which will contribute to economic consolidation of Serbian environments in order to fully facilitate development and create a better perspective for life in Kosovo and Metohija."

In the past ten years, no funds have been invested in the schools on the territory of Kosovo and Metohija. The onset of this summer holidays signaled the start of painting works, the renovation of sanitary facilities, of electric and heating utilities. The criteria for granting of funds were the condition of school facilities, determined by means of direct field visits.

The reconstruction and renovation plan has included 45 head (stem) schools and 62 satellite school units encompassing 58 primary schools. Furthermore, 12 facilities and 11 satellite school units have been completely renovated.

Total amount allocated for all the above is 22,920,000 RSD.

Renovation and reconstruction of school facilities in Kosovo and Metohija are only part of the plans made by the Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija, involving Serbian environments in Kosovo-Metohija and aimed at creating conditions for a decent everyday life, restoring homes and instilling confidence that there is a perspective in the native land. Long story short, people in Kosovo-Metohija should be able to live like people in any other part of Serbia, Ministar Bogdanović concluded.