The prospects for assistants tasked with preventing violence and vandalism in schools remain uncertain. Initial outcomes from the pilot program suggest that their presence has contributed to a reduction in violence levels in certain schools.

This information was shared with “Vijesti” following a meeting with the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MPNI) by assistant Damir Sukurica, who specializes in violence and vandalism prevention in educational settings.

According to Sukurica, during discussions with MPNI representative Anđela Jakšić-Stojanović, the assistants did not receive clear guidance regarding their future roles within schools.

“Our discussions with Ministry representatives indicated that we need to allow some time to collect feedback from school principals and other relevant stakeholders about our effectiveness,” Šukurica commented.

The state has trained over 45 individuals to help mitigate violence and vandalism in schools, with the project “Assistants for Combating Peer Violence and Vandalism in Educational Institutions in Montenegro” set to run for nine months, from September of last year until June of this year. The Police Academy in Danilovgrad organized the program.

As per Sukurica, the school principals have conveyed to the Ministry of Education that the assistants’ contributions are beneficial.

“… And the incidence of violence in schools has not escalated. Those who serve effective roles will provide insights once the pilot project concludes, approximately at the end of June. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology will then determine whether the pilot project will continue in its current form next year or if assistants will be permanently instated in schools,” he elaborated.

He asserted that the project has proven to be “excellent” and emphasized that the original concept was commendable.

“Assistants serve as reliable figures in whom children find security and trust, individuals they can always approach. Moreover, we are on hand to respond to conflicts, ensuring issues are communicated to the psychologist and pedagogue. This is a call to maintain this initiative. It is meaningful and serves a purpose. The role of all assistants, who have undergone nearly two months of training at the Police Academy covering topics like children’s rights and effective communication, has been vital,” stated Sukurica.

Radovan Furundzic, another assistant in violence and vandalism prevention, expressed to “Vijesti” the significant value of this project.

“I want to highlight the importance of the assistants’ role in the collective effort to combat peer violence, particularly to parents. It is crucial to understand that we (assistants) function as a bridge between children, parents, and the psychological and pedagogical (PP) services,” Furundžić stated, noting the reduction in violence linked to their presence in schools.

During a meeting last week, the government allocated 800,000 for the Ministry this year to establish a system for physical security of individuals, facilities, and property in schools and kindergartens, labeling this as “a temporary measure until school police officers or an alternative security structure is implemented by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.”

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