Schools closed in Struga, situation tenses for teachers: Opposition speaks of political motives

The decision to close some schools and reduce the number of classes in Struga has led to the removal of part of the educational staff. The Mayor of Struga, Mendi Qyra, stressed that this is not about teacher dismissals, but only about removing personnel he deems unsuitable.

However, Qyra did not provide details on who these unsuitable employees were and what duties they had performed so far in the education system.

“No teachers have been left without a job. All those with employment decisions continue their activity, and we also have people on contracts who are continuing work. Only those who did not meet the criteria are affected, and I have said before that we cannot keep unsuitable people in teaching, because we work for children, not for votes or for employees who bring us votes. Around 35 to 40 people are unsuitable, so 35-40 did not meet the conditions,” declared Mendi Qyra, Mayor of Struga.

From the opposition ranks, the question was raised whether the removal of the so-called “unsuitable” ones is being done for political rather than professional reasons.

“With what reason and logic is the educational staff being attacked under the pretext of ‘unsuitability,’ while at the same time new hirings are taking place in the municipal administration? Before and during the elections, everyone claimed that the municipal administration is overloaded and has a serious surplus. Now we see no rationalization there, but party hirings continued and they directly attacked schools and classes. Let them come out and explain the logic of saving on education and teachers, while the administration is being overloaded,” said Dimçe Shipinkaroski, a councilor from LSDM.

Meanwhile, other criticisms also came from BDI. Councilor Faton Polozhani claimed that political affiliation and family ties to the mayor played a role in the selection of staff.

“Unfortunately, what we have observed is that one of the criteria used in the selection of personnel was political closeness and ties to the mayor and his circle. Many of those who held different views from the mayor in the last local elections, sadly, are no longer part of the educational process, but have been replaced by people who either share the same political beliefs as the mayor of Struga, or have close family ties to him and people close to him,” said Faton Polozhani, a councilor from BDI.

In September of this year, four regional primary schools in Struga were closed, while the number of classes was reduced by 30 in 11 primary schools. /Alsat.mk