MINIĆ URGES PARENTS TO APPLY FOR REPUBLIC-LEVEL SUBSIDY FOR CHILDREN’S EXTENDED-STAY PROGRAMMES: SRPSKA CARES FOR ITS YOUNGEST

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 8 /SRNA/ - President of Republika Srpska Government Savo Minić urged all parents who are eligible to take advantage of the opportunity to apply for the republic-level subsidy for children's extended-stay programmes.

As part of the "Srpska Loves You" campaign, through which the Office of the President of the Republic presents the rights and measures that today constitute the family support system in Republika Srpska, Minić told SRNA that one of these measures is the republic-level subsidy for children’s extended-stay programmes, and that parents have been able to submit applications to the Republika Srpska Child Protection Fund since September 1, based on which the Government provides a monthly subsidy of BAM 200 for children attending private extended-stay programmes.

"We are aware that it is not easy for parents to balance work, family and all the obligations that everyday life entails. It is especially difficult when a child finishes school but is still not old enough to stay home alone. At that point, parents look for the best and safest solution for their child, and an extended-stay programme is certainly one of them. That is why we want to ease at least part of this burden of caring for a child. We have provided a monthly subsidy of BAM 200 to reduce the cost for families and ensure that parents know they are not alone in this, that the Republic’s institutions are there to support them," Minić told SRNA.

While working to expand the network of extended-stay programmes in our primary schools, the prime minister said, they see subsidies for private extended-stay programmes as concrete and immediate assistance for families that need it now.

"Our goal is for as many of our schools as possible to have the conditions to provide extended-stay services in the future. The situation today varies - some schools can provide extended stays for pupils up to the third grade, while others, due to a lack of space, can offer this option only for the first two grades, and some, unfortunately, do not have it at all," Minić said.

He stressed that the Republika Srpska Government will therefore continue working to expand school capacities in the coming period, because they want parents to feel more at ease and children to have a safe and pleasant place to spend time after classes.

"Until then, subsidies for private extended-stay programmes are a way for us to provide immediate assistance where it is most needed - to families who care for their children every day and strive to provide them with the best conditions for growing up. This is also the goal of the Republika Srpska Government, because children are our responsibility as well, and we want to provide them with the best conditions for growing up in their local communities and in their Republika Srpska," President of the Government Savo Minić stressed.

According to a decision by the Republika Srpska Government, the subsidies are administered through the Republika Srpska Child Protection Fund, and applications can be submitted at the Fund's regional offices.