Idrizovë students lack Albanian-language classes beyond fifth grade

Albanian students at the ‘Njegosh’ primary school in Idrizovë, Gazi Babë municipality, face continued limitations in their education. While they can study in the Albanian language until the fifth grade, students from the sixth to the ninth grade must travel to other municipalities to continue their schooling in their native language.

Minister of Education Vesna Janevska stated that while it is important for children to learn in their mother tongue, the ministry has not made a decision regarding opening Albanian-language classes in Idrizovë. The Minister cited challenges regarding teacher employment and school optimization, noting that there are currently at least 2,500 teachers who do not have a full load of teaching hours.

Janevska indicated that if a need for Albanian-language parallels is verified, the ministry may consider utilizing existing teachers within the system rather than hiring new staff, as the ministry is currently restricting new hires to only essential cases.