Category: Persecution
Period: from Apr 2025
Outcome: No one investigated (as of 24 Jun 2026)
Psychologist Dragan Prpa was dismissed from Sveti Sava Primary School in Bačka Palanka for taking part in a work stoppage, even though, by his account, around thirty employees went on strike. Principal Maja Kojić brought proceedings against him alone, and the School Board upheld the dismissal on 4 November 2025. Prpa says the dismissal is unlawful because the principal has not passed the principal's licensing exam. According to the ministry, the municipal inspectorate established that she had not. Prpa has filed a criminal complaint against minister Dejan Vuk Stanković. The outcome in court is not known.
Dragan Prpa, who has been a psychologist at Sveti Sava Primary School in Bačka Palanka since 2002, says classes at the school were suspended in late December. From January to March, around thirty employees were on strike for a total of 15 to 20 days.
On 15 April 2025, principal Maja Kojić brought disciplinary proceedings against him alone, for taking part in an unlawful strike and failing to carry out his work duties. Prpa says these are the only such proceedings in the municipality and that they are politically motivated.
The principal dismissed Prpa three days before the proceedings would have become time-barred. The School Board upheld her decision on 4 November 2025, and a rally in his support was held outside the school.
Prpa announced an appeal to the Administrative Court and a request for the court to reinstate him until the proceedings are concluded. The principal did not respond to Danas.
Prpa is challenging the dismissal because it was signed by a principal who, according to a notice from the inspectorate, did not pass the principal's exam within the two-year deadline. The Ministry of Education says the municipal inspectorate established this and that its report was delivered to him on 7 November 2025. The principal was still running the school in June 2026.
On 25 November 2025 Prpa filed a criminal complaint against minister Dejan Vuk Stanković, claiming that the minister had failed to issue a decision dismissing the principal within 15 days. The ministry denies missing the deadline and says it will reach a decision within the legal time limit.
In a similar case in Srbobran, three teachers were dismissed over the suspension of classes (Srbobran). In August 2025, Prpa says he was attacked in Bački Petrovac, which is covered in a separate affair.