PAYMENT OF ONE-OFF AID FOR PUPILS AND STUDENTS IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA BEGINS

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 18 /SRNA/ - The payment of one-off assistance has begun in Republika Srpska for young people covered by the decisions of the Republika Srpska Government on support for the standard of living of elementary and secondary school students, as well as full-time students at higher education institutions in Republika Srpska.

Under a decision of the Republika Srpska Government, more than 80,000 elementary school students in Republika Srpska will receive one-off assistance of BAM 100 each, while around 35,000 secondary school students will receive BAM 150 each, the Republika Srpska Ministry of Finance said. Around 22,000 full-time students who are citizens of Republika Srpska/BiH and are enrolled in first-, second- or third-cycle study programs at higher education institutions in Republika Srpska will also receive BAM 150 in assistance, provided they applied through the Government's online portal. "For these purposes, funds have been provided in the Republika Srpska budget, and the first payments have been made to elementary schools that submitted the required data. The funds will be disbursed successively over the coming days as the submitted data are processed," the Republika Srpska Government said, noting that this is just one of the measures it is implementing to support young people and families. The Republika Srpska Government has provided free textbooks for elementary school students in Republika Srpska, with around BAM 12 million allocated from the budget for this purpose, and BAM 5.2 million has been provided for pupil transportation. "The one-off support for pupils and students will provide assistance to parents and children in purchasing the necessary school supplies and other essentials for the start of the new school year," the Republika Srpska Government said.