The Serbian Minister of Education, Dejan Vuk Stanković, has issued a warning that professors participating in potential faculty blockades will face salary cuts. This announcement comes in response to student demands to postpone the start of the academic year from October 1 to November 1. The students argue that the delay would allow them more time to engage in election campaigns. Stanković declared that any blockades would be considered illegal, and professors who do not conduct classes during this period would not receive their salaries.

The minister’s statement has sparked a debate among faculty members, with differing opinions on the legitimacy of halting classes for the sake of the election campaign. Voja Radovanović, Dean of the Faculty of Physics at the University of Belgrade, expressed concern that new blockades could harm the university. He noted that previous blockades were driven by student dissatisfaction and tragic events, but he believes the current circumstances do not warrant such actions. Radovanović emphasized that while he understands the students’ need for time to participate in the campaign, he opposes the idea of universities engaging in blockades for electoral reasons. He criticized the minister’s threats, arguing that similar standards should apply to all sectors, not just education.

Conversely, Branimir Jovančićević, a professor at the Faculty of Chemistry, supports the students’ proposal to delay the academic year. He views the current situation as a political struggle and believes that educators should assist students in their campaign efforts. Jovančićević downplayed the significance of the Ministry’s response, asserting that the importance of the elections outweighs the issue of teacher salaries.

Katarina Jovanović, a professor at the Faculty of Music Arts, also criticized the minister’s approach, describing it as a continuation of pressure on the academic community. She accused the minister of being part of a regime that disregards laws and rules, warning that the threats could lead to further repression against faculties whose students decide to engage in blockades. Jovanović highlighted the precarious situation faced by university employees in Niš, who have been pushed to the brink of survival due to the Ministry’s actions.

The minister’s threats have raised concerns about their potential impact on the academic community and student activism. While the faculty members are divided on the issue of blockades, there is a consensus that the minister’s threats are unacceptable. The situation remains tense as students continue to deliberate on whether to formally request a delay in the academic year, and the potential consequences of the minister’s actions on the educational environment are yet to be seen.