MPS DISCUSS CHANGES TO LAW ON ELEMENTARY, SECONDARY EDUCATION

ZAGREB, Dec 6 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament on Monday discussed in an emergency procedure draft amendments to a law on elementary and secondary education transferring the right to establish elementary and high schools to the units of local and regional self- government. Deputy Education and Sports Minister Ivan Vavra said amendments to the laws on the financing of local self-government units and education transferred managing rights and the obligation to finance schools to local and regional administration back in July. According to him, the proposed amendments envisage the obligation to transfer the right to establish schools to the units of local and regional administration. The proposed amendments were hailed by the ruling coalition's parliamentary benches. The five-party coalition believes it is necessary to decentralise elementary and secondary education. The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) parliamentary bench opposed the amendments, saying local self-government units would not be able to cope with new obligations, including the financing of the education system. The parliament will vote on the amendments tomorrow. (hina) it