Closure of Albanian-language class at “Penko” prompts VLEN and AKI councillors to walk out of Butel session: “We were outvoted

Albanian councillors from VLEN and AKI in the Municipality of Butel walked out of today’s municipal session, during which, among other issues, the closure of the Albanian-language class at “Petar Zdravkovski-Penko” primary school was also discussed, TV21 reports. Armend Murseli, an AKI councillor, said, among other things, that the mayor had decided not to implement the law.

According to the councillors, there is a legal basis for children living near the school to enroll there, even though their addresses fall within the Municipality of Çair. They categorically rejected claims that the Albanian councillors had voted to close the classes in this municipality.

Albesa Ramani of VLEN stressed that the Albanian councillors had never supported, nor would they support, the closure of any class. She added that they were coordinating with the deputy education minister to find a solution.

Linkest Lumani of AKI said that, following the debate, the councillors drafted a proposal that was supposed to be included in the agenda and put to a vote, with the aim of preventing the class at “Penko” from being closed and allowing lessons to continue. According to him, the response was unequivocal: the class could not continue and the matter was considered a fait accompli. The proposal was subsequently put to a vote, but the Albanian councillors were outvoted and the item was not added to the agenda.