DPM Aleksić participates in panel marking World Children’s Day

Deputy Prime Minister for Education, Science and Relations with Religious Communities Budimir Aleksić took part in a panel discussion organised by the Municipality of Nikšić ahead of World Children’s Day, held under the slogan “Children have the right to safety and a carefree childhood.” Deputy Prime Minister Aleksić spoke on the topic “The education system and the prevention of child rights violations – focus on peer violence.”

He emphasised that every child has the right to grow up without fear – to be loved, protected, and free to learn, explore and develop their identity. Unfortunately, he noted, children today increasingly grow up facing constant pressures, insecurity and various forms of violence, both physical and in the increasingly important digital sphere. These are phenomena that must never be normalised or accepted as an “inevitable part of growing up,” because childhood is not and must not become a struggle, and the right to safety and peace in childhood is not a luxury, but a fundamental human right, Aleksić underlined.

He stressed that Montenegro’s education system recognises the importance of protecting children from all forms of violence, abuse and discrimination.

However, peer violence has in recent months – and years – become a major public concern due to its increasing prevalence, which represents a serious alert for all institutions and system actors. Prevention is key, he said. Schools must not react only once violence has occurred, as that is often too late and the consequences can be severe and far-reaching. The education system, and schools within it, must foster a culture of respect, solidarity and empathy; promote dialogue and communication; and continuously emphasise the serious consequences of choosing any other path. Speaking about the role of schools and cooperation with other institutions, he underlined that while schools are the central point of child protection, they cannot and must not act alone. Stronger cooperation with centres for social work, the Ministry of Interior, health institutions, NGOs, and of course parents, is essential for eradicating peer violence in society. Only through coordinated, joint action of all these actors can we build a robust system that responds not too late, but on time – a system that provides support, understanding and protection to every child, Aleksić concluded.