The Basic State Prosecutor’s Office (ODT) in Podgorica has initiated an investigation regarding physical education teacher IR at Branko Božović Elementary School, amid allegations of aggressive behavior and sexual harassment towards both male and female students, as confirmed by the Podgorica ODT to the Center for Investigative Reporting in Montenegro (CIN-CG). This case is currently in the investigation stage.

In mid-February, the IR teacher was suspended from his position following the receipt of an anonymous letter from parents of students at Branko Božović Elementary School. This prompted the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MESI) to begin an investigation into the matter.

Reports of this teacher’s troubling conduct have circulated for years, as corroborated by various sources, including both students and parents interviewed by CIN-CG for an article published on March 2.

At that time, CIN-CG revealed that it had obtained a survey conducted as part of an extraordinary inspection by the Montenegrin Institute of Education in February, following the MESI’s investigation initiation. Students frequently reported that the PE teacher, whose name or initials were not disclosed, “intrudes into girls’ locker rooms,” “gazes at girls inappropriately,” and “inappropriately touches girls.” Male students primarily noted that the inappropriate behavior targeted girls, yet they also mentioned that the teacher could be rough and would sometimes hit children or shout at them.

CIN-CG received an anonymous tip at the end of February indicating that staff from ZŠCG, during a regular inspection of Branko Božović School, were informed of the IR teacher’s inappropriate behavior towards students back in October 2024. However, it is claimed that the institutions did not undertake substantial actions to investigate until the matter was reported to the Ministry of Education and Science in February.

In October 2024, during its regular oversight of the school, ZŠCG surveyed students regarding teacher behavior; 13 percent reported experiencing physical violence in school, while 15 percent indicated exposure to verbal abuse by teaching staff, as detailed in the inspection report that CIN-CG accessed.

The Institute informed CIN-CG that after discovering several student reports of violence during the October inspection, they reached out to the Education Inspectorate, which was their legal responsibility. However, they did not answer CIN-CG’s inquiry about the timing of this communication. The Education Inspectorate also did not respond to CIN-CG’s questions about the case or when they were first informed about it.

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