# Bačka Palanka school psychologist fired over work stoppage 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. ## Work stoppage and disciplinary proceedings 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. ## Dismissal and appeal to the School Board 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. ## Principal without a passed exam 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. ## Criminal complaint against the minister 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. ## Similar dismissals and an attack on Prpa 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. ## Participants - [Maja Kojić](https://odgovornost.rs/en/osobe/maja-kojic): Brought disciplinary proceedings over the work stoppage against the psychologist alone, then fired him, although she had not passed the exam (responsible) - [„Sveti Sava“ Primary School (Bačka Palanka)](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/os-sveti-sava-backa-palanka): The School Board rejected the psychologist's appeal and upheld his dismissal for taking part in the work stoppage (responsible) - [Dejan Vuk Stanković](https://odgovornost.rs/en/osobe/dejan-vuk-stankovic): According to Prpa's criminal complaint, he failed to dismiss, within the deadline, a principal who had not passed the required exam; the ministry denies this (commented on the case) ## Victims and others harmed - [Dragan Prpa](https://odgovornost.rs/en/osobe/dragan-prpa) ## Sources - [Danas: “I wasn't the only one, but I was the most persistent”: psychologist at Sveti Sava primary school in Bačka Palanka dismissed](): 7 Nov 2025 - [Danas: Who is the psychologist who filed a criminal complaint against Education Minister Dejan Vuk Stanković?](): 26 Nov 2025 - [021.rs: Psychologist from Bačka Palanka files criminal complaint against education minister](): 25 Nov 2025 - [Danas: Ministry of Education: Untrue that we failed to respect the law in the case of the principal of Sveti Sava primary school in Bačka Palanka](): 26 Nov 2025 - [BAP televizija: More than 100 pupils of Sveti Sava primary school achieve notable results in competitions](): 24 Jun 2026 --- Source: Odgovornost, https://odgovornost.rs/en/afere/backa-palanka-psiholog-otkaz As of: 6 Nov 2026 Licence: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)