LOWER HOUSE BEGINS DEBATE ON CROATIAN SCHOOL SYSTEM

( Editorial: --> 2383 ) ZAGREB, June 19 (Hina) - The Education Minister Bozidar Pugelnik on Friday submitted to the Croatian National Parliament a report on the situation in the school system, with special reference to the school union strike which started on June 12. Present at today's session of the lower house, along with Government representatives, were also school union representatives. Following the presentation of the report and a brief debate, opposition benches requested a break so that they could prepare an agreed text of the resolution on the Croatian school system. Minister Pugelnik's report covered data from 17 June. According to those data, out of a total of 844 primary schools, 273 (32.23%) were partly on strike and 130 (15.4%) completely. Of a total of 395 secondary schools, partly on strike were 158 (40%) and fully 67 schools or 17%. Problems concerning the finalisation of marks and implementation of graduation and final exams are being encountered in schools in which all or a majority of teachers are on strike, Pugelnik said. Should the strike last longer, it will be difficult to confirm the general success of students and distribute student reports in those schools, Pugelnik said. He highlighted that unacceptable behaviour by some union members was noticed during the course of the strike (ie preventing students to enter the school, refusing to talk with students, pressuring employees who are not striking, thwarting final graduation exams etc). Pugelnik recalled in detail the course of talks with school unions and their requests for promotion of all employees in primary and secondary schools by two wage levels and payment of annual leave bonuses. Not one child in Croatia will remain without school results. High school graduates will receive their results and diplomas, said Pugelnik. School unions commenced their strike on 12 June. The Government refused their requests and decided to end the school year a week earlier, on 12 June. The unions continued the strike and held a protest in Zagreb demanding that the Government reconsider their requests. At today's session the Government said it would decide on the teachers' requests following the school system debate in Parliament. (hina) jn bag/rml 191350 MET jun 98