Schools Close in North Macedonia, 17,000 Fewer Students in 7 Years

Education and Science Minister Vesna Janevska said that no teachers will lose their jobs during the process of optimizing the school network, even though, according to her, the number of students has fallen by 17,000 over the past seven years.

“I am aware that there are reactions regarding the optimization, but I repeat — no one will be dismissed from work,” VESNA JANEVSKA, MINISTER OF EDUCATION.

She described the organization of single-shift classes and the reorganization of the school network as two of the most important processes currently underway in education. According to her, the single-shift model has already been introduced in more than 200 schools. Janevska said that when she took office two years ago, she encountered major problems in the education system, while attention is now focused on improving the quality of education and science.

She also announced that support for students with special educational needs has been increased. In primary education, 1,350 teaching assistants have been engaged, while for the first time 150 assistants have also been included in secondary education.

According to Janevska, around 70 million euros have been invested in educational infrastructure for more than 90 projects. She mentioned the construction of new school buildings and sports halls, the renovation of student dormitories, the unblocking of the project for the new building of the Faculty of Information Sciences and Computer Engineering (FINKI), as well as the procedure for the construction of the Faculty of Physical Culture, Sport and Health. /SHENJA/