Gazi Babë primary schools to begin week with national anthem

Starting Monday, all primary schools in the Gazi Babë Municipality will begin the school week by reciting the national anthem. This decision, approved by the Municipal Council, follows a similar measure passed in 2023. Mayor Boban Stefkovski stated that the decision has been well-received by parents and citizens, emphasizing that the anthem is a key symbol of national identity, history, and sovereignty.

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has called on other municipalities to follow Gazi Babë’s example by respecting the national anthem in schools. He noted that while he does not oppose the playing of the Albanian anthem in majority-Albanian municipalities, it should be played alongside the state anthem.

Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Driton Sulejmani, criticized the move as rushed, suggesting that such decisions should be preceded by dialogue rather than being imposed. He expressed uncertainty regarding how mandatory the requirement would be for schools operating in the Albanian language.