THE EDUCATION SYSTEM DOES WHAT IT WAS CREATED FOR. AND THAT IS THE PROBLEM

Abstract

This paper is a continuation of our last year's presentation at the Knowledge is Power symposium and continues to explore the state of preschool and primary education in the Republic of Serbia, but also in the countries of the region, and in some aspects, the global picture. The paper first looks at the reasons for the unsatisfactory state of education, especially among children between the ages of eleven and fifteen, looking for reasons in the traditional settings of educational systems, but also in their inertness in relation to rapid social changes. In contrast to the previous presentation, which was based on the absence of necessary content and suggestions that could supplement education, this paper is focused on researching the conditions in which classes are held and the main problems perceived by teachers and parents. Special attention is paid to the problem of peer violence and the inadequacy of the mechanisms by which the educational system fights against unwanted phenomena. There is a review of the ways in which the educational systems of the countries of the developed world fight against violence in schools and examples of some positive solutions are highlighted, with an analysis of their applicability in the countries of the Balkans. Examples of the zero-tolerance policy applied in Finland, whose education system is considered one of the most effective in the world, were mentioned. As another positive practice, the voucher system is recognized, which is in force in several countries, and which is expected to expand over time and that it is necessary to inform the domestic public about the positive and negative aspects in time. Possible problems are pointed out, among which the biggest one is that state educational institutions could have reduced competitiveness, but it is also considered that additional pressure on the state education system could lead to certain improvements.