Ulcinj school language dispute leads to student transfers

In Ulcinj, Montenegro, thirteen first-grade students have returned to classes at the ‘Maršal Tito’ primary school after a week-long absence. However, five students have already been transferred to different schools due to an ongoing dispute regarding language instruction.

Parents are demanding that instruction in Montenegrin, Serbian, Bosnian, and Croatian (CSBH) be conducted by a teacher who meets legal requirements, specifically having the language as a mother tongue or possessing a relevant university degree. The current teacher holds only a certificate of knowledge in the CSBH languages and was educated in Albanian. Parents emphasize that their request is based on professional and linguistic competence rather than religious or national identity.

Despite raising the issue with the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation and President Jakov Milatović, parents report they have yet to receive an official response or resolution.