According to the draft proposal by the government, primary education in Croatia could last nine years, instead of eight, as it is now, while higher education could be free, if the proposal is accepted by the parliament.At the same time, draft proposes that experience gained through practice and work, could be recognized and accepted.

Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic said the group of experts were engaged to work on the draft proposal.

"Now it is up to politicians, the parliament and the government, to adopt the draft and to implement proposals," Milanovic said, adding how Croatia is one of the countries with relatively low level of higher education. However, this level Milanovic does not consider as determinant for the development of the country.

"If we look at neighboring Austria, they also have a relatively low level of higher education, but it is one of the most prosperous countries in the world with very low unemployment rate. At the same time, some countries are having high level of higher education, but they are going through severe crisis,“ Milanovic concluded.

Minister of the science, education and sport Zeljko Jovanovic said that the goal with this strategy is to create society in which the key values will be based on knowledge, making Croatia a competitive EU member state.

According to the draft strategy, reform should be implemented until 2025.