KS Assembly Approves Continuation of New Pofalići Elementary School Construction, Adopts Law on Register of Financial Claims

(Patria) - The Sarajevo Canton Assembly today approved the Business Cooperation Agreement regulating mutual relations in the implementation of the construction project for the Public Institution Elementary School "Pofalići".

With this decision, the Minister of Upbringing and Education of Sarajevo Canton, Naida Hota-Muminović, is authorized to sign the agreement with the Municipality of Novo Sarajevo and the Institute for the Construction of Sarajevo Canton.

The need for the construction of a new school in the Pofalići settlement has existed for many years. The existing school building is located on the route of the planned city express road (Butile – Dariva), which is why the "Pofalići" Regulatory Plan envisages relocating the school to a new location.

The initiative to prepare project documentation was launched by the Municipality of Novo Sarajevo back in 2017. After the conceptual design was completed, the Institute for the Construction of KS submitted a request for urban planning consent, which was a prerequisite for the main project design.

In order to more precisely define the obligations of all parties up to the phase of obtaining a usage permit, as well as resolving issues of real rights over the building, the signatory parties have agreed on the need for a new, more detailed agreement.

This act removes administrative obstacles for the further continuation of the project, which is of vital importance for the educational infrastructure and residents of the Pofalići settlement.

The new text of the Business Cooperation Agreement further defines the mutual relations and obligations of Sarajevo Canton, the Municipality of Novo Sarajevo, and the Institute for the Construction of KS, the joint implementation of the building construction with accompanying landscaping, issues of title and ownership of the project, implementation phases up to the completion of works and issuance of the usage permit.

The Assembly today repealed the Law on Educational Inspection of KS, in order to harmonize the legislative framework in the field of inspection supervision. As explained, these amendments will ensure legal certainty and more clearly defined responsibilities in conducting supervision over educational institutions in Sarajevo Canton.

Acting on the act of the Government of Sarajevo Canton of March 7, 2025, the Ministry of Upbringing and Education of KS gave a positive opinion on the initiative of the Cantonal Administration for Inspection Affairs to repeal the Law on Educational Inspection.

The main reason for supporting this initiative is the need to align with the actual situation on the ground and valid regulations. Namely, the current Law from 2000 stipulates that the educational inspection operates within the relevant ministry, while in practice, the Educational Inspection Inspectorate already belongs to the Cantonal Administration for Inspection Affairs of KS.

This organization is fully in line with Article 20 of the Law on Ministries and
The Government of Sarajevo Canton, at its 72nd session held on April 24, 2025, tasked the Ministry of Upbringing and Education to prepare and submit materials for the implementation of this initiative as soon as possible.

As part of the preparation of the materials, the Ministry obtained the necessary opinions from the competent administrative bodies: the Office for Legislation of KS, the Ministry of Finance of KS, and the Ministry of Justice and Administration of KS.

All opinions were submitted in accordance with the prescribed procedures, thus creating conditions for further parliamentary procedure and the final repeal of the outdated law, it was explained.

The Assembly also adopted the Law on the Register of Financial Claims in Sarajevo Canton. The primary goal of adopting the Law is to establish a unified record of data on financial claims in Sarajevo Canton for the purpose of centralized, quality, and efficient management of monetary resources.

In May 2025, the KS Assembly determined the Draft Law on the Register of Financial Claims in KS and put it up for public discussion, which lasted for 30 days. Invited participants in the public discussion included cantonal administrative bodies, local self-government units, cantonal institutions and public enterprises, the Municipal Court in Sarajevo, the Cantonal Court in Sarajevo, and scientific and professional institutions.

After the public discussion, the Ministry of Finance of KS prepared a Report on the results of the public discussion on the Draft Law on the Register of Financial Claims in Sarajevo Canton. The remarks were accepted that the deadline for data entry be extended from 90 days to 120 days.

The Minister of Finance of KS, Afan Kalamujić, stated that a unified database of all claims has not been established at the Sarajevo Canton level. A unified record of such data is the basis on which it would be possible to conduct necessary analyses, propose and adopt appropriate policies, strategies, and measures, with the aim of ultimately managing claims more effectively regarding the collection of public revenues, loans, borrowing, collection of claims based on bills for thermal energy, for utility services, etc.

"The unification of data is of particular benefit for monitoring and collecting claims from debtors, both legal and natural persons, towards cantonal institutions, local self-government units, and public enterprises founded by Sarajevo Canton and local self-government units in KS," said Minister Kalamujić.

Upon the adoption of the law, the Ministry of Finance was tasked with preparing appropriate instructions that further regulate the procedure for entering data into the Register, and the method of appointing responsible and authorized persons for data entry.

At the continuation of today's session, the KS Assembly also gave consent to the amendments and additions to the Financial Plan of the Public Institution "Employment Service of Sarajevo Canton" for 2025 with the Decision on the execution of amendments and additions to the Financial Plan for the same year, as well as to the Financial Plan of the Employment Service of KS with the Decision on execution for 2026.

The new Law on Commodity Reserves was also adopted at the session, modernizing the management system of strategic reserves. The new law removes a multi-year discrepancy with state regulations on public procurement and protection of classified information, which has so far hindered the operational work of the Directorate.

The adoption of this law enables medium-term planning and the achievement of recommended supply minimums, thereby directly increasing the security of the citizens of Sarajevo Canton.

Key innovations brought by the law include a wider range of goods, more transparent procurement, protection of assets, and more efficient operation. As stated, new strategic resources are being introduced, including special categories such as baby food. Business entities are enabled to participate through a regulated public procurement system, with clearly defined exceptions in emergency situations.

The protection of cantonal property at warehouses has also been increased, the right to separate goods in case of bankruptcy of companies is defined, and the Government's obligation to compensate for consumed reserves in crisis situations is established. A coordination mechanism with other institutions during emergencies is being introduced to speed up the Directorate's response.

The session was adjourned after the adoption of this agenda item, and the public will be informed in a timely manner about the date of its continuation.