Overview of the General Education System

Montenegro's education system is influenced by its complex history, particularly the legacy of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and subsequent reforms from its time in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Since gaining independence, Montenegro has continued to reform and modernize its education system, guided largely by efforts to integrate with European Union standards.

Substantial education reforms around the year 2000 focused on updating curriculum content and modernizing vocational education and training to meet labor market demands. International cooperation, especially with the European Union, has provided financial and technical support for these reforms.

The education system is structured into six major levels namely the pre-school (pre-primary) education, primary education, general secondary education, upper secondary vocational education, non-tertiary post-secondary education, and higher education. Adult education and special education are also integrated within the broader educational framework.

Educational governance is highly centralized, with the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation responsible for setting policy, developing curricula (with input from relevant national councils), licensing institutions, and overseeing teacher development. The accreditation of higher education study programs is managed by the Agency for Control and Quality Assurance in Higher Education, based on proposals submitted by individual institutions.

Schooling in Montenegro is offered through public, private, international, and religious institutions, with the majority of students attending public schools. For example, as of 2023, there were 54 pre-primary institutions of which 21 were public and 33 were private. There were also 163 public and 6 private primary schools, and 51 public and 5 private secondary schools.

Pre-primary education is offered through a network of 159 child care units, accommodating 829 care groups. In the academic year 2022-2023, 24,663 children were enrolled in pre-primary education, with 47.5% girls and 52.5% boys, and 95.3% of them attending public institutions. The adult literacy rate stood at 98.98% as of 2021, which reflects a well-established commitment to universal basic education.

Moreover, Montenegro promotes inclusivity through a unified education system that accommodates children with special educational needs (SEN), providing tailored education in mainstream and resource schools based on their developmental profile. The language of instruction in most institutions is Montenegrin, although Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian, and Croatian are also used in schools serving minority populations. Recent policy developments aim to increase access to free education, particularly in higher education, and to further align qualifications with European norms.

Compulsory education in Montenegro covers children from ages six to 15. It encompasses both primary and lower secondary education in a single-structure system that lasts for nine years. This structure is organized into three developmental cycles designed to reflect students’ cognitive and social maturity.

The first cycle, covering Grades 1–3, is focused on basic literacy and numeracy. The second cycle, Grades 4–6, introduces more subject-specific content. The third cycle, Grades 7–9, lays the foundation for more advanced academic or vocational pathways. Transition between these stages is automatic, and progression is age-based rather than examination-based.

Pre-primary education is not compulsory. It is provided in two stages such as the crèche care (for children up to age three) and kindergarten (ages three to six). Attendance is voluntary, and while it is encouraged for social and cognitive development, it is not a prerequisite for entering primary school. Still, participation rates are increasing, partly due to efforts by the Ministry of Education to promote early childhood education.

Upon completing the nine-year compulsory basic education, students can transition to general or vocational secondary education. General secondary education is provided through gymnasiums, which last for four years and prepare students for university studies. Vocational education is offered in two- to four-year programs in specialized secondary schools. Although secondary education is not mandatory, it is an important stepping stone for higher education and employment opportunities. Access to both general and vocational secondary programs is contingent on the successful completion of basic education and age eligibility.

Montenegro’s higher education system is organized in line with the Bologna Process, following a 3+2+3 model, a three-year Bachelor’s degree, a two-year Master’s degree, and a three-year Doctorate (PhD).

Higher education is offered at the University of Montenegro (the country’s only public university), three private universities, two individual private faculties, and one individual public faculty. Tuition at the public University of Montenegro has been made free for Bachelor’s programs since 2017-2018 and for Master’s programs since 2020-2021, which highlights the government’s efforts to increase access to higher education.

Admission to bachelor programs requires a secondary school diploma, and progression to master’s and doctoral levels involves the completion of the prior degree. Study programs span a wide range of academic and professional disciplines, and technical and vocational higher education is also available, though on a smaller scale. Accreditation is managed by the Agency for Control and Quality Assurance in Higher Education, which ensures compliance with both national standards and the European Higher Education Area framework.

Higher education institutions are increasingly aligning with international standards, which offers degree programs that follow the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). This facilitates student mobility and the recognition of Montenegrin degrees abroad. Despite a relatively small number of institutions, Montenegro's higher education system continues to expand its academic offerings, modernize facilities, and pursue greater research output through international cooperation.