ASH: Albanian children in Idrizova still denied mother-tongue education

The Alliance for Albanians has demanded immediate intervention by institutions to guarantee Albanian-language instruction for Albanian students in Idrizova.

According to ASH, at the “Njegosh” primary school these students can only follow education in Albanian until the completion of fifth grade. From sixth to ninth grade, they must travel to other municipalities, as Idrizova does not offer instruction in their language.

“It is unacceptable that in 2026 Albanian children still face such obstacles. Education Minister Vesna Janevska states that it is good for children to learn in their mother tongue. If that is truly her and the Government’s position, then we expect it to be proven with deeds,” the Alliance for Albanians said.

The party questions why Albanian-language classes are not created at “Njegosh” school for sixth- to ninth-grade pupils as well. In its reaction, ASH stresses that VLEN also bears responsibility, since it entered the Government with a promise to protect Albanians’ rights, and the Ministry of Education has an Albanian in the post of deputy minister.

“What is this power for, if it cannot even secure the right for Albanian children to complete elementary education in their own language and in their own place of residence?” reads the ASH reaction.

The Alliance for Albanians calls on the Ministry of Education and the Government to start without delay the procedures for opening Albanian-language classes for grades six through nine in Idrizova.