Albanian League Accuses Government of Attacking Albanian-Language Education: Taking Us Back to the 1990s

The Albanian League has reacted to statements and actions by Education Minister Vesna Janevska. According to the party, her approach shows that the Government intends to circumvent the Badinter mechanism and harm education in the Albanian language.

The Albanian League claims that the latest decisions were approved solely by the minister, without a public debate being held, without seeking the opinions of experts and local authorities, and without conducting a proper analysis.

The party says the Ministry has reduced the number of classes taught in Albanian in all Albanian municipalities, including municipalities with an Albanian majority.

Criticism has also been raised over the reduction in the number of students at some faculties. The Albanian League rejects the argument that employment opportunities are lacking, stating that it is the Government itself that has obstructed the employment of young Albanians.

Janevska’s statements on approving higher-education laws without the Badinter mechanism are also a source of concern for the Albanian League. According to the party, such an action, which it describes as even more scandalous, would mean that the laws would be introduced without consulting Albanians.

In the Albanian League’s assessment, the latest developments are reminiscent of the 1990s, a period when Albanians faced obstacles to being educated in their native language and to establishing educational institutions in the Albanian language.

At the conclusion of its response, the party blames the Albanian representatives in the Government for remaining silent and failing to react to these developments.