MAJOR CHANGES COMING TO KINDERGARTENS IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

Banja Luka – The Government of Republika Srpska has adopted the Draft Law on Preschool Education, aiming to create a more accessible, higher-quality, and functional system of early childhood education and care that better serves the needs of children, parents, and the broader community.

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The draft legislation outlines significant improvements in the quality and availability of preschool education, while also streamlining the administrative procedures for establishing preschool institutions.

One of the most notable changes is the adjustment of the minimum age for enrolling children into the preschool system—from six months to nine months—aligning the enrollment threshold with the duration of maternity leave. This move is seen as a step toward supporting working parents more effectively, according to a statement from the Government's Public Relations Bureau.

The new law also allows for the temporary hiring of unlicensed educators, who will be required to obtain the necessary qualifications within a two-year period.

Children from socially vulnerable backgrounds who are beneficiaries of social welfare will be given priority for admission to public preschool institutions. Additionally, fees for professional certification exams have been reduced—from the previous 80% of the minimum net salary to between 30% and 60%, depending on circumstances.

The draft law also enables the Republic to participate in funding the construction of preschool facilities. This support reflects the government’s recognition of the importance of early childhood education, particularly since local self-government units are currently the primary founders of public preschool institutions.

Furthermore, the proposed law sets clear standards for the work of educators and professional associates, with the aim of standardizing practices and ensuring consistent quality across all preschool institutions in Republika Srpska.

It also introduces more precise regulations concerning professional development and career advancement for educators, as well as new measures for evaluating the quality of educational work in preschool institutions.

The draft law is now moving forward for further debate and public consultation, marking a pivotal step in overhauling early childhood education in the region.