05.10.2021.
Agreement Signed between the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development
Today, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Nebojša Stefanović PhD and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development Branko Ružić signed an Agreement between the two ministries on the organisation of a prize competition for primary school pupils on the topic “Our Soldier – Our Hero”, which also envisages that the primary school pupils carrying their report cards will be granted free entrance into military museums.
Minister Stefanović underlined the importance of perceiving our young as the future of our country, and he added that the cooperation between the two ministries had already been established, and indicated the intention of enhancing it.
- This is a project whose aim is to familiarise every child in our country with our glorious history and our traditions. Visit all there is to be seen in our museums, without it being yet another school excursion during which you will just pass through some rooms. Let it be an opportunity where you can come with your parents alone and see why we are a country with such glorious tradition and why it is that they speak with their heads high and with respect when they say the name of Serbia – Minister Stefanović stressed.
According to him, the intention is for the children to see, not only what museums offer abroad, but everything that is within the reach of their hand in our museums as well.
- The Ministry of Defence has several truly fantastic museum displays and there are memorial rooms in our units, and it also has this wonderful Military Museum and the Aeronautical Museum as well. We believe that our children should familiarise themselves with the contents of those displays, and be proud of the fact that our military has always been the liberating one. That is why we wish that, with their report cards, they get free entrance. I also believe that this Agreement, that we have just signed, will enable all creative children, participating in this prize competition, to express their perception of military profession, which is one of the most noble professions in our country – stated Minister Stefanović.
Speaking about the competition, Minister Stefanović pointed out that it would be opened on the following Monday and that awards had been prepared for the best ones, including the use of flight simulators, books, and stay in our military holiday resorts all over our country.
The minister of defence reminded that in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development a project titled the Basics of Defence System of the Republic of Serbia was still being successfully carried out.
- I would like to thank Minister Ružić for his understanding so that now practically all final grade students in high schools all over our country have an opportunity to gain all important, basic knowledge related to the Serbian Armed Forces – Minister Stefanović pointed out.
He reminded that the final year students also learn about their rights and obligations and opportunities offered by our defence system.
- For me, it is very important that no other but those who are the most competent speak about it, our soldiers, officers and non-commissioned officers, and inspire in the young the feeling of patriotism, the feeling of love for our Serbia, and share everything else that is truly wonderful and that embellishes those people who wear the uniforms with the colours of our country. Despite the unfavourable epidemiological situation, we have carried out this programme in as much as 96 per cent of the schools, which is the evidence of the desire of the students to attend it, and of the effort of the men from the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education to commit to this project which is what I am truly grateful for – the minister of defence stressed.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development Branko Ružić underscored that the two ministries have established a tradition of good cooperation in the matters of education, and added that on that particular occasion the initiative had come from Minister of Defence Nebojša Stefanović.
- I am confident that we will precisely in accordance with our true intention – to have a multitude of wonderful works - have many “happy dilemmas” deciding on the laureates or winners – Minister Ružić underlined.
According to his words, the common goal is to familiarise children with our traditional values and promote our armed forces through this competition intended for primary school pupils.
- It is important that all citizens of our country, starting from the youngest, who are the future of our Serbia, to those who are the oldest, respect the armed forces of our state, and of course, to respect the flag, coat of arms, and the anthem because it is one of the ways to preserve and cherish our identity and our system of values – Minister Ružić assessed.
From 11th October to 11th November 2021, the pupils of all primary schools in the territory of the Republic of Serbia, from the first to the eighth grade, will have an opportunity to compete with their works on the topic “Our Soldier – Our Hero” in one of four categories – the Serbian language, Arts, Music and Equipment and Technology, and win valuable prizes prepared by the Ministry of Defence.
