In Serbia, the Ministry of Education bears the overall responsibility for developing and implementing education policy. Pursuant to Article 17 of the Law on Ministries, the Ministry of Education is responsible for the following state administration activities:
"research, planning and development of preschool, primary, secondary and higher education, as well as student standards (i.e. providing conditions for a more accessible, effective and quality education for students, including accommodation, meals, financial support, etc.); supplementary education for children of Serbian nationals living abroad; administrative supervision in preschool, primary, secondary and higher education, and student standards; participation in the construction, equipment and maintenance of facilities for preschool, primary, secondary and higher education and student standards of national interest; professional pedagogic supervision in preschool, primary and secondary education and student standards; organisation, evaluation and supervision of training for education staff; validation and establishing equivalence of official documents issued abroad; improvement of social care for gifted students; improvement of social care for students with special needs, ensuring access to and implementation of projects within the competence of the Ministry funded through EU IPA, donations and other forms of development assistance, as well as other activities specified by law."
The Ministry is composed of the following departments responsible for various levels and aspects of education:
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Department for Preschool and Primary Education;
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Department for Secondary Education and Adult Education;
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Department for International Cooperation and European Integrations;
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Department for the Promotion of Human and Minority Rights in Education
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Department for Digitalisation in Education and Science
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Department for Higher Education;
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Department for Student Standards and Investments;
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Department for Inspection Affairs
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Department for Finances;
Additionally, there are four operative units within the Ministry:
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Legal Affairs Unit
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Administration Unit
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Unit for Coordination of District School Authorities
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Internal Auditing Unit
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Media and Communication Unit
The National Education Council and Council for Vocational and Adult Education, appointed by the Parliament and Government respectively, provide support to the promotion and development of education. These bodies are of national importance and they design, monitor and coordinate the development of education and training. They also monitor and coordinate interests and needs of all social partners.
In accordance with the Law on Higher Education, the National Council for Higher Education is responsible for ensuring the development and promotion of the quality of higher education.
The Institute for the Evaluation of Quality in Education is a body established by the Government with the aim of evaluating education and providing recommendations for providing quality education. Key activities of the Institute include defining standards in education, evaluation of education and training stakeholders in the education system.
The Institute for the Advancement of Education is a body established by the Republic of Serbia with the aim of monitoring, ensuring and improving the quality and development of the educational system, and undertaking advisory, research and other expert activities in the areas of preschool, primary and secondary education.
The Commission for Accreditation and Quality Assurance is in charge of ensuring the quality of higher education. Its aim is to contribute to maintaining and improving the quality of higher education as well as to ensure compliance of the education system with internationally recognised standards.