[REVISION HISTORY]

North Macedonia student welfare and school supply measures

Updated 8 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-29 07:37 UTC → 2026-09-05 15:54 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The North Macedonian government has implemented several measures to alleviate financial pressures on families and students for the 2026/2027 academic year. To combat inflation, the government mandated a ‘school basket’ initiative. Under this measure, wholesalers must lower prices by at least 10%, while retailers are required to ensure a minimum price reduction of 15% on essential items—such as backpacks, notebooks, and pens—compared to prices held on June 1. To allow for variety, retailers may compose their own product bundles based on brand and quality, but they must transparently display both the discounted price and the original June 1 price. Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska described the reduction as ‘significant relief for parents.’ To enforce these regulations, the State Market Inspectorate ~~has~~ launched nationwide field inspections, effective from August 25 through September 30, 2026. ~~Retailers must clearly mark products with~~ By early September, Deputy Minister of Economy and Labor Marjan Risteski reported that inspectors were monitoring approximately 600 retail locations. While some initial labeling errors were identified, Risteski noted they have since been corrected. Government estimates suggest the ~~slogan ‘помалку трошоци, повеќе за тебе’ (less costs, more~~ measure could allow families to save between 500 and 1,500 denars per child, with potential savings reaching up to 3,000 denars for ~~you). For products purchased after June 1, 2026, discounts are calculated based on recorded purchase prices in material records.~~ families with two children. Minister of Economy and Labor Besar Durmishi noted that while market prices remain relatively stable, ~~inspectors will closely monitor gross profit margins to ensure price increases are due to~~ rising ~~costs, such as fuel, rather than~~ fuel costs pose a risk to transport expenses. To prevent ‘unjustified profit ~~seeking.’~~ seeking,’ inspectors are monitoring gross profit margins. Violations may result in fines between 500 and 10,000 euros and potential 15-day temporary bans on business activities. In response to the current economic climate, retailers are seeking legislative changes to the Law on Unfair Trade Practices to permit the return of unsold goods to suppliers. Minister Durmishi indicated that such amendments would necessitate discussions with the European Union to ensure alignment with EU recommendations. Meanwhile, the government continues to monitor inflation, which ~~showed signs~~ stood at an annual rate of ~~stabilization~~ 2.3 percent in July, ~~though~~ alongside a 4.3 percent GDP growth in the ~~cost~~ second quarter of ~~living remains a concern for households.~~ 2026.

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