Today, Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska, Savo Minić, visited the printing house of the "Official Gazette" of the Republic of Srpska in Banja Luka, where textbooks for elementary school students are being printed.

During the visit Prime Minister Minić emphasized that sufficient number of textbooks will be provided by the beginning of the next school year and that the Government would allocate BAM 12 million for their purchase this year.

The Prime Minister stressed that the Government decided to provide free textbooks in order to help citizens save money in their household budgets, but also to show concern for the youngest generations.

'I am very satisfied with what I saw today and I am sure that "Official Gazette", which is responsible for printing the majority of textbooks for primary school students, will provide a sufficient number of textbooks by the beginning of the new school year', Prime Minister said.

Acting Director of the "Official Gazette" of the Republic of Srpska Miloš Lukić appraised Prime Minister Minić about other activities of the "Official Gazette" such as printing of public documents, which, due to high level of protection and demanding technology, can only be done in this printing house. He also added that they print more than 700,000 textbooks and other school accessories annually.

This year, the Government of the Republic of Srpska is implementing a system measure of financial support that includes provision of free textbooks for all primary school students in the Republic of Srpska, in all nine grades.

In order to further support less developed areas, the Government has decided to fully finance the purchase of textbooks for all primary school students in those municipalities. 

As a matter of fact, in co-financing of the purchase of textbooks for primary schools, municipalities participate with 20 percent of the funds, cities with 30 percent, while the Government provides the remaining majority of the funds needed for that purpose.