The capital lacked a kindergarten service during Easter, prompting some parents to voice concerns to officials from the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights. An initiative was subsequently forwarded to the administrations of preschool institutions, along with the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation, to address the situation.

The initiative, sent by Mirela Ramčilović from the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, emphasizes that the non-working holidays have created significant logistical challenges for families without alternative childcare options.

It highlights that the “Dragan Radulović” educational unit at the Old Airport was not operational as per the Law on the Celebration of Religious Holidays, resulting in no provision for on-call kindergartens or groups.

The letter points out that the non-working holidays led to a considerable logistical issue for families lacking alternative childcare means.

“Parents who needed to work—whether in public, private sectors, or jobs without designated time off for non-Orthodox or non-Catholic employees—had to take their children to work, hire private caregivers, or take unpaid leave. This raises questions about the justification for suspending operations in educational units predominantly attended by students and educators from religions that do not observe these holidays, without offering on-call childcare or alternative care options,” states Ramčilović’s initiative.

It also questions the reference to “non-existent legal provisions of the Law on the Celebration of Religious Holidays and the decision to cease operations based on that.”

“The Law on the Celebration of Religious Holidays clearly grants paid leave to practitioners of the Orthodox and Roman Catholic faiths to celebrate corresponding holidays. Moreover, the same Law and the decision from the Ministry of Employment and Social Dialogue emphasize that state bodies, local governments, public enterprises, and institutions established by Montenegro or municipalities must ensure the continuity of services during religious holidays, especially when disruptions could negatively impact citizens or the state.”

She urged the Ministry of Education and Science to “fulfill its responsibilities regarding the operation of educational institutions and ensure compliance with legal obligations to maintain a minimum level of work during all state and religious holidays.”

“This would not infringe upon the right to paid leave for followers of the Orthodox, Islamic, Roman Catholic, or any other religion, depending on the holiday in question.”

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