The establishment of a branch of the “Risto Ratković” elementary school in the Pripčići area is confirmed following the approval of this year’s budget by the Montenegrin Parliament.

Dušan Grujić, a Pripčić resident, noted that 260 euros have been earmarked for the construction of a two-classroom school.

“Vijesti” has reported multiple times on the school, which, after four years, is in dire condition, and the Parents’ Council has recently announced that construction is set to commence in April.

“Everything is proceeding according to the agreed timeline; the documents are currently with the chief architect for finalization, and the project will likely be ready by Sunday, after which a tender is anticipated,” Grujić shared. He mentioned that Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Ivana Jakšić Stojanović, assured him that once the budget is approved, the designated funds have been allocated and will be available within eight days.

Parents were previously informed by the school administration and the ministry, via the Parents’ Council, that construction would start as soon as the weather allows, most probably in April.

Veselinka Šćekić, the principal of the “Risto Ratković” Elementary School, had earlier told “Vijesti” that due to part of the ceiling collapsing in the auxiliary rooms because of deterioration, students from Pripčići have been attending their home school since September.

“The school administration and parents have repeatedly reached out to the Ministry of Education regarding the unsatisfactory state of the facilities. Parents expressed concerns that the school might collapse, which is why the children were directed to their home school,” Šćekić explained.

“Vijesti” has previously covered the situation at the Pripčići school, established in 1946. Residents noted that the windows were in poor condition, “terrible, covered with paper and old boards,” and highlighted the lack of adequate toilet facilities for the children.

“There is only one sink inside that is shared by all the children, and the outside toilet is quite a sight—can this really be acceptable in today’s world?” locals commented in the past. They resorted to patching up holes in the walls with boards, leading some parents to enroll their children in the local school in Bijelo Polje.

The establishment of a branch of the “Risto Ratković” elementary school in the Pripčići area is confirmed following the approval of this year’s budget by the Montenegrin Parliament.

Dušan Grujić, a Pripčić resident, noted that 260 euros have been earmarked for the construction of a two-classroom school.

The news has been reported multiple times by “Vijesti” about the school, which has endured years of neglect, and the Parents’ Council recently announced that construction is set to begin in April.

“Everything is on track as planned; the documents are with the chief architect for completion, and we anticipate the project will be ready by Sunday, which will be followed by the announcement of a tender,” Grujić added. He also mentioned receiving confirmation from the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Ivana Jakšić Stojanović, stating that once the budget is approved, the funds will be released and operational within eight days.

Parents have been informed by the school administration and the ministry through the Parents’ Council that construction would begin once the weather permits, likely in April.

Veselinka Šćekić, the principal of “Risto Ratković” Elementary School, previously told “Vijesti” that due to a part of the ceiling collapsing in the auxiliary rooms, students from Pripčići have been attending their home school since September.

“The school administration and parents have consistently reached out to the Ministry of Education regarding the poor conditions. Parents voiced concerns that the school was at risk of collapsing, which prompted the relocation of students to their home school,” Šćekić recalled.

“Vijesti” has reported on several occasions about the Pripčići school, which was constructed in 1946. At that time, locals mentioned that the windows were “awful, patched with paper and old boards,” and emphasized the issue of children lacking proper toilet facilities.

“There’s only one sink inside that all the children use collectively, and if you look at the outside toilet, is this truly acceptable in our era?” locals have previously stated. They have patched the holes in the walls using boards, prompting some parents to transfer their children to the school in Bijelo Polje.

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