High School of Food Technology and Chemistry is one of the oldest vocational schools in the city. It was established in the 1935/1936 school year under the name „First Vocational Extended School“ and was created through the reorganization of the existing craft schools in Niš.
During World War II, the school was not operational, but it resumed its activities in the 1946/1947 school year under the name „Vocational School in Industry and Craftsmanship.“
Since 1956, it has operated as the Mixed School for Apprentices in Industry. In 1972, the Center for the Education of Personnel for Craftsmanship, Industry, and Public Services was formed, within which the Mixed School for Apprentices in Industry functioned.
In the 1978/1979 school year, the Center underwent reorganization, and two basic organizations with working communities were established: the Basic Organization of Associated Labor (BOAL) for the first phase of directed education „Ratko Pavlović“ and the BOAL for the second phase of directed education „Filip Kljajić.“
In 1987, the BOAL for the first phase was separated from the Center, and the school was constituted as the Work Organization (WO) – school of food, leather, and chemical-technological professions „Ratko Pavlović.“ Since 1997, the school has existed under the name High School of Food Technology and Chemistry „Ratko Pavlović,“ and in 2002, it changed its name to „High School of Food Technology and Chemistry.“