Establishment, work and prospective development of the department of pedagogy in Montenegro

Dr. Vučina Zorić

Summary:  This paper is a study of the origins, work, achievements, problems, challenges and prospective development of the Department of Pedagogy at the University of Montenegro. For this purpose, the occurrence, status and representation of pedagogy (and fundamental pedagogical disciplines) as a subject have been analysed, as have other important prerequisites for establishing the Department of Pedagogy at the Faculty of Philosophy in Nikšić (University of Montenegro), the only one of its kind in Montenegro. We consider its work from its establishment in the academic year 2004/2005 and its work in accordance with the principles of the Bologna Declaration as a unique worldwide model of education – 3 (undergraduate) + 1 (specialization)+ 1 (master)+ 3 (doctoral studies). In doing so, we analyse the admissions policy and the progression of and employment opportunities for graduates of pedagogy, the conditions under which the study programme developed and how the teaching staff is trained. We found that the treatment of pedagogy today, particularly its representation as a scientific and academic discipline in numerous programmes at the University of Montenegro, is not satisfactory. Among other things, this speaks to a lack of understanding of its importance, especially for the education of future teachers. However, in a short period of time, the relatively young Department of Pedagogy has managed to produce its own local professional staff, to improve cooperation in the region and beyond and through its many and varied activities to build a reputation as a potentially important support and carrier of the educational system reforms in Montenegro. However, there are numerous problems, dilemmas and challenges that can significantly affect the status, operation and prospects of the development of the programme and of pedagogy itself as a science in Montenegro.