Janevska: Under LSDM-BDI, the number of students dropped by 17,000

The Minister of Education and Science, Vesna Janevska, declared today in Parliament that during the seven years of LSDM and BDI governance, the number of students has decreased by 17,000. This situation makes the optimization of the school network necessary, according to her.

She pointed out that there are many regional schools with only two or three students, who do not have the opportunity to interact or use modern technology. Merging them with larger schools would ensure a higher quality educational process, placing children’s interests first. The minister also assured that no teacher will be left without a job.

Responding to deputies’ questions regarding speculations about teacher dismissals, Janevska clarified that during the last two years of the government’s mandate, no teacher has been laid off. Even in the period ahead, she stressed, there will be no dismissals. To meet the required teaching hours, teachers will be offered opportunities for additional engagement with gifted students or those who have fallen behind, as well as leading sections and extracurricular activities.

This measure, the minister explained, also aims to extend children’s time at school, considering that their number of hours is significantly below the European average. According to data, students in Macedonia up to the age of 14 spend 6,816 hours in school, while the average in OECD countries reaches 7,775 hours.

“We are trying to bridge this gap and ensure that our students do not rank last in PISA tests,” she added.

Regarding the construction of the primary school in the village of Sellcë in Tetovo, Janevska informed that the facility was started during the previous government but has remained unfinished. Funds are lacking for the facade, the arrangement of the ground floor, and the construction of a retaining wall on one side where there is a risk of landslide.

Despite concerns about this situation, the minister promised that the current government will complete the project to prevent the loss of investments, as happened with the cases of FINKI and FFK, which the previous government did not finish.