The Ministry of Education should strictly punish all who give priority to profit in the education system over education and safety of the children, it was said at the Center for Civic Education (CGO) yesterday.

"Where there is evidence, such as the finding of the competent inspection, that this is a misuse of the authority of a director, the same should be processed efficiently. And there is a tremendous responsibility of the Minister of Education (Damir Sehovic) who needs to dismiss such directors," said the associate at CGO Mira Popovic.

Yesterday, "Vijesti" reported that tourist inspectors found that more primary schools had illegally organized excursions and programs at the School of Nature.

After these inspection findings, the main tourist and leading education inspectors Svetlana Sljivancanin and Lucija Adzic passed on to the schools the information on respecting prescribed obligations when organizing school trips.

Popovic notes that as far as the trips such as schools in nature, excursions and other activities are concerned, the law prescribes the announcement of tenders for which the director is responsible, stating that the legal procedure and the will of the parents must be respected and all the contrary must be registered and sanctioned by the competent authorities.

"We have a practice for a long time now where, in a variety of ways, is trying to make a profit through education systems contrary to the constitutional norm that basic education is free of charge. This often leads to the embarrassment of parents with a low living standard and underlines the social differences among the children. Of course, children should not be denied excursions and visits to institutions and other out-of-school activities that improve their knowledge, but such activities must be carried out in accordance with the law and at minimum costs, if necessary, for students and their maximum security," said the associate at CGO. The schools at that moment when they enrolled the children took full responsibility for them at the time of school and out-of-school activities they organize.

Popovic argues that those who are not capable of carrying this responsibility should not be in the education system because, as she points out, there is no private interest that can be ahead of the children's safety. Surveillance found that excursions and other travels without the mediation of tourist agencies were organized and the persons involved in this organization were punished by a misdemeanor order, as "Vijesti" was informed from the Inspection Directorate, stating that the supervision was carried out in the elementary school "Ratko Zaric" in Niksic and Podgorica primary school "Radojica Perovic".

The elementary school “Ratko Zaric”, according to the findings of the tourist inspection in which "Vijesti" had insight, on their own initiative and with no tenders published, has organized School in nature for 64 pupils, but also without any contract with the holiday resort on Lovcen, or the transport company. In the same the way they organized, as shown by the documentation, excursions to Herceg Novi and Igalo, and a part of this school's pupils visited Trebinje as scouts. On the excursion to Vucje were also the children of the second grade of the primary school "Radojica Perovic", and Director Mirjana Boskovic told "Vijesti" that the school had nothing to do with it and that a private person organized it.

"Please note that after these checks, we have also sent information to all directors of elementary and high schools in Montenegro, where we state their obligations and responsibilities in the organization of excursions, trips, and schools in nature", said the Inspection Directorate.

Text by Milos Rudovic, on May 15th, 2019, read more at Vijesti

The Traffic Secretariat has accepted the proposals of the taxi drivers and in the new draft of the decision to arrange the taxi transport, the start of the first tariff will range from 50 cents to one euro, which will be the price range per one-kilometer ride.

When it comes to night driving the price per kilometer is planned in the range between 60 cents to one euro. The decision will be made by the members of the Assembly of the Capital City at the next session.

Traffic Secretary Lazarela Kalezic explains that they came to meet the needs of the taxi drivers when it comes to the night and holiday tariff, where it will also rise in price.

The starting price and ride per kilometer by night instead of 40 cents to one euro will move from 60 cents to one euro.

"The draft decision on taxi transport was at a public hearing giving the opportunity for the people in this area and the public to point out some of the attitudes regarding the solution of the problem. Several issues have been in the focus of the decision making, especially as the new Law on Land Transport defines the obligation of local self-government to introduce new elements in the regulation of car-taxi transportation, referring to the introduction of startup and other tariffs. At the public hearing, taxi drivers complained about the values ​​given for tariffs and services considering them to be too low. Everyone asked for a higher starting price and a kilometer ride, ranging from 50 cents to one euro. We've considered everything that has been suggested and made some changes. We have accepted that the lower limit for the start and a ride per one kilometer runs from 0.50, and the taxi drivers are to determine how much the price will be. It is also accepted that the night tariff and the ride during the holidays range from 60 cents to one euro as they asked," says Kalezic.

She points out that the starting price and ride per one kilometer for the transport outside the city will be increased, instead of 0.40 cents to one euro, this range will now be from 0.50 to one euro.

"We believe that giving a price range from 50 cents to one euro is a good mechanism for taxis to define on their own estimations and calculations what is profitable to them," says Kalezic.

He added that he would soon announce a public debate report, which would answer all the suggestions made by the taxi drivers on the cab transport decision.

It should be noted that changes to and amendments to the new law on road traffic have to be made, concerning the introduction of a cash-register, services. When the Ministry makes the mentioned amendment, all municipalities will have to make new decisions on taxi rides.

Self-employed entrepreneurs are satisfied that their proposals have been accepted to increase start-up price and ride per kilometer, but also the tariff during night-time. They argue that the increase is realistic and that the taxi service in Podgorica will still be the cheapest in comparison to other cities in Montenegro.

Public transport from the past century

Stanko Radonjic Boulevard’s residents on Tuski put asked the Secretariat for the introduction of bus lines in this part of the settlement. Transport Secretary Lazarela Kalezic announced that two requests were made for the introduction of this line.

Kalezic states that new bus lines will be in focus in the coming period.

She says that in this part of the settlement had been previously introduced a trial bus line that proved to be non-profitable.

"There were not enough passengers to make this line last longer. With new concepts of public transport, we have to cover the whole city, but this concept has to reconcile profitable and unprofitable lines. The condition of certain roads sometimes causes transporters to be in a difficult situation, their buses get broken," says Kalezic. She adds that they are preparing an application that will be available to all users to track the arrival of the buses on mobile phones. Kalezic says that in the city they are aware that the city vehicle fleet needs to be renovated. We need money for this, but we are thinking of purchasing electricity and gas buses or those using alternative fuels. Current urban transport, old buses that use oil as fuel, pollute the air. She states that buses which are currently in use are old and not comfortable. "In Podgorica, we have 109 buses covering 29 lines. The profitability of city transportation everywhere in the world is questionable. We are thinking of introducing electric buses and this would lead to a reduction in the use of expensive conventional fuel. Also, we are thinking of somewhat enhancing the role of the City when it comes to transportation," says Kalezic. 

They do not separate the taxi stands

The Traffic Secretariat did not accept the taxi driver's proposal to split the taxi stands, to clarify which one belongs to the companies and which to the independent entrepreneurs. Kalezic says that the attitude is for the taxi stands to remain independent as specified in the Decision on taxi transport.

"The draft decision defines that the taxi stands are free and that the same principle applies for everyone. Many workers in this area expressed their disapproval of such a solution, considering that they did not respond to what their position was in the earlier period, that they had developed a taxi stand over a long time and that such solutions would affect their business. That is why we would like to keep the taxi stands vacant because we believe that those who are now starting to do the business as taxi drivers are in an unequal position concerning those who carry out this activity for many years," Kalezic said.

The Trade Union of the taxi drivers in Montenegro is dissatisfied with the final position of the Transport Secretariat that the taxi stands in the city should remain vacant, which is why they submitted an initiative to Ivan Vukovic, the mayor of Podgorica and Lazarela Kalezic, the traffic secretary, seeking to separate the same, i.e. to specify which one belongs to the companies and  which one to self-employed entrepreneurs. Over 200 independent entrepreneurs signed the petition.

In Podgorica, there are currently 300 taxi stands on which vehicles that are not registered for this activity are parked.

Text by Boban Novovic, on May 15th, 2019, read more at Vijesti

May 16, 2019 - On the occasion of marking Independence Day, a representative exhibition on the Boka Navy Kotor, the oldest organization of sailors in the world marking its 1210 anniversary this year, will be opened tomorrow in Cetinje. The opening of the exhibition will be preceded by the performance of the Main Squadron of the Boka Navy and the dancing of the traditional St. Tryphon's round dance at Palace Square at 5 pm.

May 16, 2019 - Citizens of Perast traditionally celebrated 15 May, the Latter-day of the victory of their ancestors over the Turks in 1654. In addition to mass and ceremonies at St. Nicholas Square, the traditional event in the memory of the heroic defense of the city captured the custom of "shooting the rooster," which symbolizes the enemy.

This year's winner is local Marko Lindi, who, according to the age-old tradition, received a towel with the year of battle and the date of the shooting, after which he triumphed Perast accompanied by the City Music of Kotor.

On St. Nicholas square, the Boka Navy traditionally performed, which played the St. Tryphon Round Dance, after which Kotor bishop Msgr served the holy mass. Ilija Janjić.

At the central town square, in the evening, the Klapa Contra from Split held a concert. Although city lighting did not work, visitors enjoyed the excellent music.

The event was organized by the Society of Friends of the City of Perast, the Community Center, Perast Parish Office and the Perast International Klapa Festival.

Perast Battle - Latter-day of 15 May

Perast's ability in the seventeenth century on land and sea, skill with the sword and trade, the Chadian War, the loss of Risan thanks to the Perast Army in 1649 were just some of the reasons for the Turks to strike at the city.

Having learned that the Turks would attack the city, its peasants had been transporting the furniture to the islands in front of the city, because they believed the enemy would attack only from the land. Men were divided into nine towers. The commander of local forces, K. Šilopi, developed on his house the flag of Venetia and the mark with the municipal coat of arms, which obliged the Duke to come in every need with 30 armed men.

As the Kotorans modestly aided their neighbors with about 30 pedestrians and some ammunition, and there were seizures of about 30 of Perast's ships trapped between Korcula and Molunat at that time, a rift between the vast Turkish army of some 5,000 soldiers and only a few hundred peasants of Perast broke out.

Early in the morning, the Turks hit the town from the mainland. On both sides of the town, they headed for the St. Cross, where it was a fortress of local soldiers and Venetians. In the bloody defense for Perast, few citizens succeeded in resisting the enemy, taking over the leading battalion of the Turkish army and killing her command of Mehmet Aga, whose rifle could be seen today at the Perast Museum.

No one was hoping Turks would hit the town from the sea. The Turks under the leadership of Ulcinj Mustai Reis attacked Lepetane, set up a fortress with Our Lady of Angels and went through Verige to Perast. They devastated the islands of St. George and Our Lady of the Rocks, where they tortured votive gifts and mischief, but they did not find the image of Our Lady, because the citizens hid it in time at the church of St. Cross in Fortress.

Our Lady of Perast, Photo by Miroslav Marusic, Boka News

By the centuries-old tradition, the last Sunday in April, Our Lady's image is transmitted to the town to be returned to Our Lady of the Rocks on 29 June, on the feast of Saint Peter.

The enormous success in defending the city, the peasants of Perast, attributed the protection of the Blessed Virgin, so the municipality vowed that every year, thanks to Her, the ceremony would celebrate the Latter-day.

In honor of this great victory, on the western wall of St. Nicholas church in Perast, there is a memorial plaque with a text in the national language, which was given by the then archbishop Andrija Zmajević.

Read the full text in Montenegrin at bokanews.com

Ministers and representatives of several institutions and local authorities in Podgorica learned about the obstacles for people with disabilities through a discussion.

Milenko Vojicic from UMHCG invited representatives of the institutions in what was hitherto one of the few cafes that are accessible to him as a wheelchair user, to share opinions in a conversation about what has been done so far in allowing the OSI to move without barriers.

When they went for a walk, they encountered one of the problems that people with disabilities encounter in the city. Namely, one driver near "Sava osiguranje" parked the car improperly and closed the ramp, so Vojicic and the institution's representatives had to go back and continue the walk in another direction.

The Youth Association for the Handicap of Montenegro organized this event by marking the European Day of Independent Life (May 5^th), Europe Day (May 9^th) and World Awareness Day on accessibility (May 16^th).

The event is organized within the project “EU4ME” funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP.

Text by Damira Kalac, on May 15th, 2019, read more at Vijesti

14 May 2019 - By signing the contract on the construction of electricity infrastructure for the needs of supplying the Đalovića Cave complex with the Public Works Directorate and Budva-based Elektro Tim, the Government of Montenegro is continuing activities aimed at the tourist valorisation of this location.

The government has allocated 989.433 EUR from the capital budget for this investment, and the deadline for the completion of works is five months from the introduction of the contractor into the business.

The construction of the electricity infrastructure will create conditions for further development of the Đalovića Cave complex itself and its contents. To this end, the Public Works Directorate also signed a contract with the Elektro Tim on equipping the 35 kV cell in the Nedakusi substation in Bijelo Polje, worth 29.766 EUR. Recently, it signed a contract with the Danilovgrad-based company Eurozox on the construction of the primary electricity infrastructure for this area, for which 700.000 EUR will be allocated from the capital budget.

The planned investments in the electricity infrastructure, in addition to ensuring the supply of the future complex of the Podvrh monastery, the cable car and the Đalović Cave itself, will also contribute significantly to more reliable and better power supply of households in this part of the Bijelo Polje municipality.

Đalovića Cave and the entire area in its surroundings belong to the most promising locations for the improvement of the tourist offer of Montenegro. The Government of Montenegro will invest about 20 million EUR in the construction of this complex, and if the demanding construction works on the ground take place with the planned dynamics, it is expected that it will be ready for visitors by the end of the next year.

13 May 2019 - In an interview with the Luxury Collection Montenegro Magazine, Prime Minister Duško Marković invited investors to invest in Montenegro, especially in our northern region, saying that this is an archetype of a country in which people of different faiths and nations live in harmony, a state that raised the level of security by joining NATO and a country where the most prestigious world tourism brands already operate.

"There are Aman, Chedi, Sheraton, Regent, Hilton, Melia, Iberostar, Karisma, Falkensteiner, and the first One & Only in Europe will be opening in Montenegro next year… In 2008, Montenegro adopted the Tourism Development Strategy by 2020, deciding to become a destination for upscale guests. This decision was supported by the report of the World Travel and the Tourism Council which placed Montenegro at the top of the list of destinations according to the growth rate of tourism, which amounted to 8.8%, said Prime Minister in the interview with Luxury Collection Montenegro Magazine.

He also added that the country could nowadays see that it's succeeded. Prime Minister listed the prestigious tourism brands that are present in Montenegro, which had not existed before this strategy. Similarly, after developing the Montenegrin coastal region, the country has started to valorise the resources in our Northern region strategically.

"I have stated many times that this is where our key resources lie. The Government did something that had never been done before: the capital budget for this year amounts to 320 million EUR, which is the biggest capital budget so far. More than 70 percent has been allocated to the Northern region. The Government, therefore, sent a clear message to the citizens and investors: this is what we are focusing on right now, stressed out Prime Minister Marković.

He continued that Montenegro is interested in investments, which will contribute to economic growth and increased employment, particularly in the Northern region, which is less developed. The programme “Economic Citizenship” is the concept of investing in projects of special importance for the economic interest of Montenegro, and should also be understood from the same point of view.

With a solemn litany, preceded by the Holy Synod Bishop Liturgy served by the Diocletian bishop Metodije and numerous priests and monks, the traditional spiritual and cultural manifestation "Days of St. Vasilije of Ostrog" was completed, which has been organized for the past 20 years by the Eparchy of Budim-Niksic and the Church municipality Niksic. The Litany, which has been held in Niksic since 1996 and which is usually attended by thousands of citizens, was led by Metropolitans of Montenegro Amfilohije Crimea and Ternopol’s and Crimean  of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Sergije, as well as Episcopalians, Pakrac - Slavonian Jovan, Budim-Niksic Joanikije, East American Irinej, Yuri’s Arsenije, South American Kirilo, Diocletian Metodije, Zahumlje- Herzegovinian Dimitrije, numerous archbishops, clergy, and monasticism, representing the icons and pillow of St. Vasilije (relic of Niksic's Temple). 

Preaching at the City Square, Bishop Joanikije said that believers offered the most beautiful gifts to the miracle maker from Ostrog - faith, hope, love, truth, justice, and prayer. "This is what he has bequeathed and left us to be embellished with, so that we can get closer to God - in love, in communion, in mutual understanding, in forgiveness, in goodness, in all virtues," Joanikije said.

The East American Governor Irinej recalled the words of Alexander Shamani's propaganda that we should not allow us to live between utopia and escape, but to live proudly in the present.

"The word pride is not the same as the word arrogance, for the word of pride in the Greek language means the one who, with dignity, carries his own pain. And that's us. That is why the purpose of this gathering is precisely that – with no exception but to listen to the instructions of St. Seraphim Sarophic Miracle Man, to close our physical eyes, turn our heads towards our hearts, and bring our minds into our hearts so that we can see how in the middle of our hearts there is a flame dancing with joy, because that flame was Jesus Christ, who had resurrected from the dead. When you see the flame in your heart, you open your eyes because at that moment the only human eye that matters had sight - that's the heart," Irinej said.

St. Vasilije, the honor of Niksic church, built in the 19th century, is also the glory of the city, and litany is considered one of the most significant events of this kind in the region.

Vasilije of Ostrog was born in 1610 as Stojan Jovanovic, in the village Mrkonjici in Herzegovina. He studied in the Monastery Zavala, from where he moved to Tvrdos, where he became a monk. In the monastery of Ostrog he came after the destruction of the monastery Tvrdos where he lived and worked as an archpriest. He became the Metropolitan of Herzegovina in 1639. He died in 1671, and because of his abilities to heal he was declared a saint. His relics are kept in the temple of Vavedenje, in the Upper Monastery.

Text by Svetlana Mandic, on May 12th, 2019, read more at Vijesti