Borut Rončević wrote that following the announcement of a comprehensive reform of education, he experienced increasing political and media pressure. He described the story about airline tickets as an attempt to discredit the responsible minister and a political showdown, but added that ministers are obliged to explain the use of public money. According to him, information about the travel habits of previous governments shows that the current outrage is not due to concern for public finances, but rather opposition to the reform. Rončević believed that unions and the educational establishment had too much influence on education policy in the past. He attributed a legitimate role to unions in representing employees, but said their influence should not include veto power over the substantive direction of the reform. He also claimed that the educational establishment had harmed the system in the last three decades by following a progressive ideology. Regarding the left and the Left, he wrote that they sought ideological hegemony primarily through the fields of education and culture. He emphasized that in preparing the reform, teachers, principals, parents, students, researchers, local communities, and the economy are involved, while unions should participate in discussions about salaries, working conditions, and employee rights. In his view, those politically responsible should decide on the direction of changes based on data and professional analyses. As ten starting points for the reform, he listed a greater emphasis on knowledge, high standards, the development of students' potentials, work ethic, patriotic and civic education, ideological neutrality, the authority of teachers, early literacy, digital and other knowledge for the future, and broader responsibility in shaping school policy. Rončević announced the relocation of the ministry to Novo mesto, a reduction in the number of employees, and strict limitations on remote work. He stated that the success of the reorganization should be measured by faster responses, timely resolution of issues, lower costs, clearer distribution of responsibilities, and user satisfaction. He wrote that the reform has the support of a broader public, parents, teachers, and the coalition, according to the data he presented. He expected even more pressure, including media publications, reports to the Commission for Prevention of Corruption, criminal charges, petitions, and interpellations, and announced that he would not abandon or soften the changes because of them. #reformaizobraževanja #javnofinanciranje #politika (translated)
