Republika Srpska teaching assistants resign over poor working conditions

As the new school year begins in Republika Srpska, teaching assistants are increasingly leaving their positions due to poor working conditions. Many professionals report that they are employed under service contracts rather than formal employment contracts, which deprives them of health insurance, pension contributions, and benefits such as meal and transport allowances.

Reports indicate that monthly compensation for assistants is capped at approximately 700 KM, a figure that decreases on non-working days or when a student is absent. Daniela Višnjić of the association ‘Djeca svjetlosti’ warned that these conditions make the role a temporary solution for many, threatening the quality of inclusive education. While the school year for over 114,000 students has resumed following heat-related delays, the instability in the assistant workforce remains a significant concern for the educational sector.