Kosovo authorities close Serb school under government coronavirus decision

Kindergartens, schools, universities and facilities for the elderly have been closed across Kosovo under a decision by the Pristina government with Prime Minister Albin Kurti saying that the decision covers Serb-majority areas.  

Chief Administrator Jasmina Dedic confirmed that the school had been sealed by officials from the Education and Health Ministries who arrived at the school with a police escort. “We will take steps in line with measures ordered by the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development,” Dedic said. The Kosovo Internal Affairs Ministry called for the closure of schools in the north of Kosovo which operate under Serbian ministry curriculum.  

Later in the day, the head of the Serbian government’s Office for Kosovo Marko Djuric said that the government had decided to discontinue classes in Serbian curriculum schools in Kosovo. He said that the decision had been taken because the health care system outside Serb-majority areas was not developed and that the information from the Pristina authorities cannot be considered reliable. He said there were also security concerns, including what he called elements of police pressure.  

Schools in Serbia proper have not been closed despite calls from parents and unions. Three major unions sent a letter to the government and Education Ministry asking them to temporarily close schools and universities and prevent an Italian scenario.