This chapter provides a thematic and chronological overview of national reforms and policy developments during the three-year period.  

The introduction of the chapter describes the overall education strategy and the key objectives across the whole education system. It also looks at how the education reform process is organised and who are the main actors in the decision-making process. 

The section on ongoing reforms and policy developments groups reforms in the following broad thematic areas that largely correspond to education levels: Early childhood education and care; School education; Vocational education and training; Higher education; and Adult education and training. The most recent reforms are described first.  

In June 2021 the Government of Serbia adopted the Strategy for the Development of Education in Serbia by 2030.  
This is a broader strategy that covers all educational levels from ISCED 0 to ISCED 8, as well as adult education, teacher education and other relevant aspects of the educational system.  
The Strategy defines some important topics that were not addressed by previous strategic frameworks. Additionally, the implementation of some specific objectives began in the previous period but has since been redefined under the new strategy. The Strategy for the Development of Education in Serbia by 2030 is also a step towards the harmonisation of educational policies with policies in science, technical and technological development in modern society. This strategy also tends to harmonise the regulations in education with international documents and initiatives (documents of the UN, EU, Council of Europe, etc.).  

Two general objectives of the Strategy are: (1) improving the quality of teaching and learning, equity and accessibility of pre-university education and strengthening the educational role of all educational institutions and (2) improving accessibility, quality, relevance, and equity of higher education.  

The Strategy sets out a reform plan aimed at achieving the general objectives by 2030. It also defines specific objectives, measurable targets, and implementation mechanisms under each general objective. 

In accordance with the Strategy, two laws in the field of higher education have been adopted - the Law on Student Organisation and the Law on Amendments to the Law on Higher Education as well as a revised set of bylaws on standards of accreditation of higher education institutions (HEI) and programmes and the external evaluation of HEI. 

The Ministry of Education is the main body responsible for managing all education-related activities, as well as one of the main drivers in the educational reform process. According to the Law on Public Administration,  the Ministry participates in the development of the Serbian Government’s policies by preparing draft laws, other legal acts and proposals for development strategies and activities. The Government is responsible for finalising and proposing new legislative and strategic acts, while the National Assembly adopts them. 

The Ministry independently prepares and issues bylaws, legal orders and instructions. Furthermore, the Ministry monitors and evaluates the state of the education system and takes appropriate actions or proposes reforms to the Government. 

State administration bodies are required to ensure conditions for public participation during the preparation of draft laws, other regulations and legal acts. 

The Minister is accountable to the Government and the National Assembly for the work of the Ministry and the matters within its jurisdiction. The main consultative bodies of the Ministry are the National Education Council and the National Council for Higher Education.