The Education Inspectorate is set to issue a temporary ban on the operations of the private Educational Center “The British Academy,” according to reports from “Vijesti.”

This development follows an inspection that commenced in mid-June at the institution after the Education Inspectorate filed control requests indicating that “The British Academy” may not meet the necessary criteria for its work permit issued last year.

In June, “Vijesti” disclosed that the inspection requests revealed the private institution had admitted nearly one hundred more students than allowed under its operating license from the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MESI), highlighting also the inadequate teaching conditions. The school was authorized for 30 students across three educational levels, yet by late May, approximately “150 students” were reportedly enrolled, exceeding both spatial and staffing requirements.

A second inspection request centered on the tuition fees, which were allegedly charged at rates exceeding the one specified in the work permit for the 2024/2025 school year—up to seven times higher based on educational level.

The private educational center, “The British Academy,” has disputed the claims from the inspection request, asserting that it possesses all necessary documentation and maintains positive relations with parents, and has pointed out that it sought to amend its license.

OVER 170 CERTIFICATES, BUT ONLY 80 STUDENTS ON RECORD

It has been reported that the education inspectors acknowledged many of the irregularities highlighted by the initiative’s creators. The allegations from the control request, deemed outside the jurisdiction of the Education Inspectorate, were forwarded to the Ministry of Education and Science and other government entities for further investigation.

Sources from “Vijesti” reveal that the acting inspector determined that over 170 certificates had been issued by the end of the last academic year, whereas only about 80 students were officially registered.

Additionally, the inspection uncovered that eight out of 11 teachers lacked the necessary licenses to work at an educational institution, with most being foreign nationals.

The school principal also fails to satisfy legal requirements. Nemanja Kalezić was found to be lacking five years of required teaching experience necessary for institutional heads.

According to sources from “Vijesti,” due to these findings, inspectors are preparing to issue a decision to temporarily halt the institution’s operations, following a three-day period during which the school can present objections, as stipulated in Article 54 of the General Law on Education.

This article indicates that an institution’s operations may be temporarily suspended if it is determined that it does not meet required standards or regulations. Inspectors are also to establish a timeframe for addressing identified deficiencies; failure to comply will lead the Ministry to impose a permanent operational ban.

The law specifies that if a ban is enacted, the institution and its founders must ensure that children, students, or participants may continue their education in another suitable institution.

CONCERNS REGARDING TUITION FEES

Unofficial reports suggest that the Education Inspectorate will elevate the issues relating to tuition fees and bank guarantees to the Ministry of Education and Science, as well as other authorities, for further review.

To secure its license, the private institution reportedly submitted a decision on enrollment for the 2024/2025 school year, setting the tuition fees at 1,000 euros for primary education and 1,100 euros for secondary education. However, the actual fees charged ranged from 4,680 to 9,960 euros. If the founder altered these prices immediately upon receiving the Ministry’s license, it could suggest deliberate intent to mislead the Ministry regarding financial commitments associated with bank guarantees outlined in the General Law on Education and Upbringing.

The institution reportedly provided a bank guarantee amounting to 139,000 euros for licensing, calculated based on enrollment figures of 10 students for preschool, primary, and secondary education, with tuition fees set at 1,000 or 1,100 euros each. Given an attendance of around 150 students, the institution was required to secure a guarantee significantly higher than what was provided.

As per the General Law on Education, the paid guarantee becomes effective if the founder decides to cease operations before students complete their educational programs.

It has been reported that evidence was presented during the inspection of a request for a bank guarantee for 400,000 euros currently pending with a commercial bank, but inspectors concluded that both this matter and concerns regarding spatial capacities would need a decision from the MoESI commissions.

CLAIMS OF COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS

On June 18, Nemanja Kalezić, the director of “The British Academy,” communicated with “Vijesti,” asserting that the institution had 124 students enrolled across three educational levels (preschool, primary, and secondary). He affirmed that they were licensed for 30 students per education level “per enrollment period,” and specified there are three enrollment periods throughout the year.

Kalezić also stated they approached the Ministry of Education and Science to amend their license, suggesting that “the number of students was manageable concerning staff and space,” and noted that the only limitation stemmed from the bank guarantee, which they hope to adjust soon.

Regarding staffing, he claimed that during the licensing process last year, they submitted a roster of teachers intended for employment.

“The Cambridge program must be taught by teachers trained and licensed for it. For clarity, we provide both a public program and a Cambridge program, and we opted for the latter, ensuring those employed are certified. All teaching diplomas are validated,” Kalezić asserted, underscoring that the institution has not misclassified teachers as support staff, unlike other private schools.

When questioned about tuition fees charged to parents, Kalezić remarked that they were based on projected costs and the program and staff anticipated in March of the previous year during the application for a work permit.

In the Enrollment Decision for the 2024/2025 school year, the tuition fee for primary education is listed as 1,000 euros and for secondary education 1,100 euros. However, the first cohort of primary school students faced a charge exceeding 4,700 euros, with a 30 percent discount applied. The discounted annual fee for high school students was 6,972 euros.

Kalezić noted that the projected costs at that time vary considerably from current ones, as there were plans to hire personnel from Montenegro.

He emphasized that the institution has “never misled anyone regarding fees.”

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