EDUCATION PROCESS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC – Case of the Republic of Serbia Zelimir Kesetovic 43 , PhD Abstract: The outbreak of corona virus in the beginning of 2020 has afected countries on all continents and distorted and reduced human activities to an unprecedented level in recent history. The COVID-19 pandemic has created the largest disruption of education systems in history, afecting nearly 1.6 billion learners in more than 190 countries on all continents. Closures of schools and other learning spaces have impacted 94 per cent of the world’s student population up to 99 per cent in low and lower-middle income countries. Ensuring learning continuity during the time of school closures became a priority for governments around the world, many of which turned to ICT, requiring teachers to move to online delivery of lessons. Countries report that some modalities have been used more than others, depending on education level, with variability across regions. In the paper the educational process in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Serbia will be analysed through the analysis of secondary sources and interviews with relevant actors. The aim of the analysis is to point out what worked well, but also to emphasize the mistakes, gaps and omissions in the organization of the educational process, primarily in order to adequately prepare for future crisis situations. Key words: COVID-19, education process, emergency teaching, online teaching, Serbia Introduction Severe crises and disasters have very serious consequences on functioning of society and its vital functions, including education. This is also the case when it comes to a crisis related to human health such as global epidemics (e.g., SARS, Ebola and COVID-19). At the beginning of 2020, humanity faced the global pandemic COVID -19, which spread very quickly from the Chinese city of Wuhan throughout the world. The COVID-19 global pandemic has afected several billions of students worldwide and many schools closed down for months. The education systems of all countries have faced the challenge of how to continue to function in pandemic conditions. Preparing a crisis plan and putting it into action is crucial for dealing with and adequately responding to any crisis. However, despite the fact that the global pandemic was predictable and recognized in the national risk register in many countries, it can be stated that, in general, countries 44 were unprepared for COVID-19 and that this crisis surprised all 43 Contact address: zelimir.kesetovic@gmail.com 44 For example, in the UK National Risk Registry pandemic infuenza is topping the ranking, having in mind its relative impact and likelihood. See page 7. on https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/ fle/61934/national_risk_register.pdf The UK Department of Health has developed a contingency plan for dealing with SARS and this would provide the basis for dealing with any future outbreaks should 37.018.43:004.738.5:[616.98:578.834-036.21(497.11) 95 БЕЗБЕДНОСНИ ДИЈАЛОЗИ / SECURITY DIALOGUES