A group of students, high schoolers, and citizens gathered on Monday in front of the Ministry of Education in Belgrade to protest what they described as government pressure on education workers who have halted work in support of student demands.
The protest follows ongoing student blockades of faculties, which have lasted for over two months, calling for accountability over the collapse of a shelter at a railway station in Novi Sad that resulted in 15 fatalities. Protesters argue that authorities have failed to adequately address the tragedy and meet student demands.
Support for the demonstrators has grown, with faculty deans from eight Belgrade universities expressing solidarity with education workers. In a parallel show of backing, pensioners joined students in a separate gathering at Republic Square, emphasizing intergenerational unity in the call for justice and educational reform.
The demonstrations are part of a broader wave of protests across Serbia, where students, educators, and various civic groups have raised concerns over government policies in education and governance. Some university bodies and opposition groups have also called for the establishment of an expert-led transitional government, though this proposal has sparked division among student groups.
Government officials have rejected claims of political pressure on education workers and have criticized the protests, arguing that prolonged blockades could disrupt the academic calendar. Meanwhile, some student factions opposing the blockades have expressed concerns over losing the academic year and have distanced themselves from calls for political change.
As tensions continue, the protests highlight a growing divide in Serbian society over governance and accountability, with education emerging as a key battleground in the broader political landscape.