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The Student Parliament of the University of Montenegro (SPUCG), the umbrella student representative body representing the interests of students of 19 university units of the largest higher education institutions in our country, is required to make a public announcement on the proposed amendments The Student Parliament declares that access to higher education determined by the Government of Montenegro is subject to the Law on Higher Education and the Law on Vocational Training.
As they point out, the UCG Student Parliament is constantly advocating for the drafting of a new Higher Education Law and, to this end, it is submitting three initiatives to the competent authorities (the government and the relevant ministries) aimed at clarifying the students’ demands.
“In addition, our area of interest is vocational training programs for highly educated people, which is undoubtedly a very important program for a large number of young people,” they said in the announcement.
First Initiative
“According to the current law on higher education, Art. 109, Nos. 2 and 3, the amount of student loans shall be determined in an amount not less than 25% of the minimum amount, and the amount of scholarships for outstanding students shall be determined in an amount not less than 50% of the minimum salary in Montenegro”, said SP.-a.
The Student Parliament assessed that, despite the fact that the amendment to the Higher Education Act was not necessary for the implementation of the above-mentioned plan and there was no announcement about the introduction and application of this solution, they were rather unpleasantly surprised, and the same feeling is shared by the student body.
“The newly proposed legal solution (the proposal for an amendment to the Higher Education Act) provides that the amounts of student loans and scholarships for the best students are determined by the government, based on the Ministry of Education’s recommendations, in accordance with available budget funds,” they added in the announcement.
They further point out that since the proposal for the amendment to the Labour Code provides for a minimum wage of 600 euros net for employees with a V level of educational qualification at the workplace, i.e., in workplaces with VI and higher qualifications – it is expected that the amount of student loans (i.e., scholarships) will be determined as a percentage as before – but taking into account the “two-tier” minimum wage and through the following:
When it comes to student loans:
– For basic studies students, the amount cannot be less than 25% of the minimum wage, i.e. 600 euros, depending on the highest level of education (level V);
– For Masters and professional studies students, the amount cannot be less than 25% of the minimum wage, i.e. 800 Euros, depending on the highest level of education (VI);
When it comes to providing scholarships to the best students:
– The amount for basic studies students, based on the highest level of education (V level), cannot be lower than 50% of the minimum wage in Montenegro, i.e. 600 EUR;
– for students of postgraduate and professional studies, the amount cannot be lower than 50% of the minimum wage in Montenegro, i.e. EUR 800, depending on the highest educational qualification obtained (VI level);
“In addition, the proposed legal solution concerns us because it provides a large degree of freedom in determining the amount of funds allocated, ie in relation to student criteria. We believe that the current solution, which takes into account the amount as a percentage of the minimum wage, ie the minimum salary, is quite good – and it is the only way to ensure that as the minimum wage, ie the salary, grows, the amount of benefits provided to students will also increase”, they explain.
In this regard, they point out that fixing fixed amounts for student loans and scholarships would be a step backwards compared to the current legal solution and would also unnecessarily complicate the adjustment of the amounts of these benefits and introduce additional uncertainty regarding student criteria.
“There is no doubt that the size of student benefits, that is, the standard entitlement of students, must follow the growth of the minimum wage and the overall socio-economic situation, that is, the state of the country,” they assessed.
Another initiative
Secondly, among this series of legal amendments, there is also a proposal for an Amendment to the Law on Vocational Training of Higher Education Personnel.
“UCG Student Parliament welcomes the decision of the Montenegrin government to increase the amount of compensation for users of professional training programs for people with higher education,” they said in the announcement.
SP, for their part, believes that the increase in the above-mentioned salary should be greater, that is, it should reach €800. Previously, since the beneficiaries of the professional training program were university graduates, that is, people who had obtained educational qualifications at level VI or VII-1 or VII-2, their work remuneration should still be based on the minimum wage established for that qualification level.
The third initiative
“We are willing to participate in discussions and procedures on all decisions related to the student body and young people in general, the work of which is coordinated by the Government of Montenegro, i.e. its ministries. We do not consider a different approach justified, especially considering our experience, practice and contribution to the development and improvement of the higher education system, youth employment and youth policy in the above-mentioned areas. We are sure that we have a lot to offer in the framework of such procedures, although of course we are the only ones invited to do so on behalf of students”, they noted.
Finally, they point out that article 112 of the Higher Education Act and article 3 of the Youth Act recognize them as organizations with the power to represent and protect the rights and interests of students and implement youth policy. They adopt measures and activities to improve the personal and social development of young people and their inclusion in social mobility.
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