Decline in the number of students in Macedonia: around 4,900 fewer will start first grade

Around 4,900 fewer students than last year are expected to enroll in first grade in September. The figure was made public by Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska, who explained that the data are not yet final.

Janevska said the decline in the number of students is being observed in both primary and secondary education. According to her, secondary schools have recorded a decline this year, but not on a drastic scale, while the contraction in primary education is much more pronounced.

“The number of students is declining, given that we have fewer and fewer pupils in both primary and secondary schools. This year, the number of students in secondary schools has decreased, but not drastically. These figures are not final, because we still have the third enrollment period in August, but the number in primary schools has decreased significantly, and we are seeing a figure of more than 4,000 fewer children than last year,” the minister said.

She added that the enrollment process has not yet been completed, meaning the final number could change.

“I am sorry that I have to say this, but it is a fact, and this has also been published by the State Statistical Office. We are talking about around 4,900 fewer first-grade students from last year to this year. No matter how many enroll, even if another 2,000 enroll, we will have at least 3,000 fewer first-grade students. We expect this trend to continue next year as well, which is discouraging for this country,” Janevska said.