It seems that both major parties do not have anything against Jokić taking part in the curricular reform.
Boris Jokić, former chairman of the Expert Group for Curricular Reform, whose resignation several months ago caused massive protests of support to be held in numerous Croatian towns, is one of the most often mentioned names during this election campaign, although he is not a candidate, reports Večernji List on September 1, 2016.
Whenever someone asks him about his possible entry into politics or accepting a ministerial post in any future government, Jokić is adamant that there is no chance. Although leaders of the Pametno Party even said that, if they happened to be in a position to influence the composition of the next government, they would like to see him as Education Minister, Boris Jokić again declined the offer.
Jokić met with SDP president Zoran Milanović in early July, but he did not want to disclose any details about the meeting. Jokić was named to the post of chairman of the Expert Group by Milanović’s government. He also met briefly with HDZ president Andrej Plenković.
SDP does not try to hide the fact that they would want to reappoint Jokić as the head of the curricular reform. “I would like to see Jokić lead the expert working group again. After the elections, we will announce a public competition for members of the expert group. I hope that Jokić will apply, together with his former associates. I have discussed the issue with Jokić, he did not give me a definite answer, but it is my impression that he could be interested”, said Neven Budak, who is SDP’s candidate for Education Minister. Jokić does give the impression that he would accept the reappointment, but under certain conditions. “This is my work and the work of members of our working group”, said Jokić.
HDZ believes that curricular reform should not be based on any single person. Instead, they want relevant experts in certain areas to offer the best solutions, under the auspices of the Ministry of Education. “Boris Jokić gave his contribution to curricular reform. We have not excluded him from the project, and we are not going to do it in the future, if he is interested in taking part”, said Radovan Fuchs, president of HDZ’s Committee on Science. Although HDZ does not want to talk about potential ministers, rumours are that Damir Jelić, the Mayor of Karlovac and head of HDZ’s election campaign, could become Education Minister if HDZ forms the next government.
