Centre for Civic Education (CCE) has today sent an initiative to the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation proposing the mandatory public disclosure of data on higher education institutions where members of the Government and Members of Parliament of Montenegro obtained their diplomas.
Recognizing and commending Minister Anđela Jakšić-Stojanović’s efforts to address the phenomenon of fake and purchased diplomas, which seriously undermines the integrity of the educational system and erodes trust in institutions, the CCE believes that implementing this initiative would bring us closer to the necessary strengthening of integrity, accountability and transparency, as well as positioning education at the level it deserves in democratic societies.
The CCE proposes that the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation initiate an amendment to the Rules of Procedure of the Government of Montenegro, which would mandate the publication of information about the higher education institutions where members of the Government obtained their academic titles, including study periods and graduation dates. Additionally, the CCE proposes that this initiative be further supported through communication between the Ministry and parliamentary clubs to include the same obligation in the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Montenegro for Members of Parliament.
The CCE reminds that for all public sector employees, information about completed higher education institutions is a standard part of their employment documentation, and this same practice should apply to those who hold the highest positions in the state. Citizens have the right to know where and what degrees Ministers and Members of Parliament have obtained. Currently, such information is unavailable for 44% of Government members on the official Government website, while the Parliament’s website lacks this data for 24% of MPs.
The fight against fake diplomas must be led by those at the helm of institutions. With a consistent approach, public trust can be built, and a healthy foundation for a professional and accountable public administration can be established. At present, we are faced with a paradox – civil servants are subject to more disclosure obligations than those managing the institutions, which can have harmful effects, especially in sectors where expertise directly influences the quality of public policies and citizens’ lives.
The CCE appeals to the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation to recognize the importance of this initiative, which would improve transparency, trust in institutions, and the overall quality and effectiveness of public administration. Furthermore, we expect both the Government and the Parliament to positively respond to this, thereby strengthening the efforts of the responsible Minister and sending an important message to the public.
Sara Čabarkapa, Programme Coordinator for Active Citizenship