Macedonia education minister warns of university closures after inspections

Education Minister Vesna Janevska said that recent inspections by the Ministry of Education and Science uncovered serious irregularities at a number of higher‑education institutions. The checks identified missing qualified staff, absent research programmes, misuse of state funds, illegal admissions and cases of diploma fraud. As a result, 18 institutes and one private faculty have already been closed.

Janevska announced that further closures are possible: five to six additional institutes are in the shutdown process and at least five universities are under monitoring. The ministry is carrying out evaluations with international experts, and institutions that fail to meet the required standards during the legal appeal period will lose accreditation and be closed. She also noted ongoing work on a new higher‑education law aimed at improving funding oversight and academic standards.