BREAKING: Former Minister of Education Vesna Bratić will not face financial penalties after a court ruling confirmed her dismissal of approximately 40 school directors was unlawful. This urgent development comes as a significant victory for Bratić, who was accused of illegally removing these directors amidst claims they failed to comply with regulations.
The ruling, which was reviewed by Pobjeda, states that the state’s lawsuit against Bratić, seeking over €18,000 in damages, has been rejected. This decision highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding the mass dismissals that occurred in 2021, when Bratić removed over 140 directors, alleging misconduct.
In a statement released following the verdict, Bratić expressed relief at the court’s decision, asserting that her actions were intended to enforce educational standards. However, the legal battle is not over. The representative for property legal interests, who initiated the lawsuit, has announced plans to appeal the decision to the High Court.
The ongoing ramifications of this case are profound. The dismissed directors successfully argued in court that they were obstructed by the Ministry of Education, which failed to nominate representatives for necessary school boards, thus preventing them from fulfilling their duties. This ruling underscores significant systemic issues within the ministry that have yet to be addressed.
In total, the state has already compensated the dismissed directors with over €280,000, reflecting the financial burden of these dismissals. With additional lawsuits pending against Bratić concerning her actions towards around 100 directors, the situation remains highly fluid and contentious.
As the appeal process unfolds, stakeholders in the education sector will be closely monitoring the developments. The implications of this case extend beyond Bratić’s future, affecting school governance and the integrity of educational leadership in the region.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
