Data from the Programme for International Student Assessment, PISA, show that 15-year-olds in North Macedonia scored below the average for developed countries in mathematics, reading and science. The average score in mathematics was 369 points, while students scored 342 points in reading. In science, the main assessment area for this cycle, the average score reached 378 points.

Only 32 percent of students in the country surpassed the basic level of knowledge in mathematics. In reading, 26 percent reached this level, while in science, the minimum level of competence was achieved by around 36 percent of students.

The 2025 PISA results reflect a significant global decline in performance in reading and mathematics.

The reading rankings are led by six Asian countries, including Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Germany ranks 23rd, just above the average, while the United States ranks 13th, Poland 14th and Turkey 16th. In mathematics, Germany ranks 26th, below the average and only one place ahead of the United States. The top seven countries in this field are Asian, while Estonia ranks 8th.

In the natural sciences, Germany ranks 23rd, with a score only 2 points above the average. Turkey has recorded a considerable improvement and ranks 19th, registering an increase of 18 points compared with the 2022 study.

The results show that students have difficulty interpreting simple data and understanding graphs in science. In reading, the problem is related to extracting information even from simple texts. In mathematics, meanwhile, they struggle to understand the relationship between units and price, a basic skill when buying food.

The study’s authors link this decline, among other things, to school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. They say that artificial intelligence has also had an impact, becoming a source of digital distraction, as has students’ increasingly limited interest in reading books.

PISA was first conducted in 2000 and is considered the world’s most influential measure for assessing educational performance./Alsat/

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Minister Vesna Janevska said that lessons held on days with high temperatures must be conducted in accordance with the protocol for action in such conditions. She explained that the protocols have been published on the website of the Ministry of Education and Science and distributed to all schools, responding to a question about whether class periods would be shortened for students.

Janevska said that climate change is a reality we cannot avoid, while high temperatures pose a challenge for children in Europe and around the world.

According to her, this situation does not mean that the educational process should be suspended. The heads of educational institutions and teachers must adapt activities to the weather conditions. In the event of high temperatures, physical education may be replaced with a break, visual arts, music or other activities.

The protocols also specify when windows should be opened or closed, as well as the activities students may undertake during hot days.

Asked about equipping schools with air conditioners, the minister said they would be provided when the state has the capacity to equip all educational institutions.

“We are acting according to priorities and doing a great deal. I believe that in the near future we will not face such a challenge,” Janevska added.

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At the campus of the South East European University in Skopje, the founding assembly was held where the Association of Economics Teachers of North Macedonia was officially created. During this meeting, the founding members signed the founding document and approved the statute, giving life to a new professional organization with the mission of strengthening economic education and knowledge throughout the country.

The creation of this association is the fruit of a four-year collaboration between economics educators from across North Macedonia and the Liberal Alternative Institute. Through projects such as the Economics Olympiad, teacher trainings, and EconLit Caravans, educators had repeatedly expressed the necessity of an organization that would unite them, foster collaboration and professional development, providing a stable foundation for advancing economic education. Addressing this shared vision, LAI supported its establishment as part of its long-term strategy for strengthening the economic education ecosystem in the country.

Orhan Ceka, Executive Director of the Liberal Alternative Institute, emphasized that over the last four years, the message about the need for an association that provides a platform for cooperation, development, and collective action had been repeated by teachers. He expressed pride that this vision is materializing and added that the Association will be key to strengthening economic knowledge, supporting teachers, and creating new opportunities for students across North Macedonia. Ceka confirmed that LAI remains a committed long-term partner for achieving these objectives.

The Liberal Alternative Institute will continue to support the Association and organize activities within its scope together. Key initiatives, such as the Economics Olympiad, EconLit Caravans, and training programs, will be co-managed, increasing teacher ownership and ensuring the sustainability and growth of these programs. This national platform will serve economics educators to represent their interests and promote quality, innovation, and continuous professional development.

During the assembly, the governing bodies were also elected. Abil Idrizi from the “Gostivar” secondary school was appointed as the first chairman, while the vice-chair positions were taken by Vesna Efremova from the “Ljupço Santov” secondary school in Koçani and Avni Arifi from the South East European University. The Executive Board includes Biljana Stamatovska, Arta Lleshi, Xhemal Ibraimi, Dashurije Mehmedi, Marina Perunovska, and Snezhana Kiçukova from educational institutions in Kërçovë, Dibër, Kumanovë, Gostivar, Skopje, and Gjevgjeli.

The newly elected chairman, Abil Idrizi, expressed his honor at the trust delegated and stressed that the Association belongs to all economics teachers. He promised to build a vibrant professional community that promotes excellence in teaching, fosters collaboration, and helps prepare young people with the knowledge and skills to understand and influence the future economy.

Meanwhile, the Supervisory Board includes professors from several well-known universities in the country: Viktorija Atanasovska Novevski from the American College in Skopje, Ali Maksuti from the University of Tetova, Liza Alili Sulejmani from the International Balkan University, Emilija Miteva from Goce Delcev University in Shtip, and Shenaj Haxhimustafa from SEEU. This link between representatives of secondary and higher education in the supervisory body is expected to create a strong institutional bridge, facilitating the exchange of expertise and encouraging joint initiatives to advance economic education at the national level.

Vice-chair Vesna Efremova emphasized that economic education is an essential life skill that empowers young people to make informed decisions, think critically, and engage actively in society. According to her, the establishment of this association is an investment in the teaching profession and in the future of students, initiating real change when teachers unite around a common goal.

The establishment of the Association marks a turning point for economic education in North Macedonia, aiming for higher teaching standards, stronger professional networks, and more opportunities for students to develop the competencies needed to navigate the contemporary economy. In the coming months, the organization will focus on expanding membership, inviting teachers from across the country to build a broad professional network committed to advancing economic education and knowledge.

This initiative is part of LAI’s broader commitment to consolidate the economic education ecosystem in North Macedonia and was realized thanks to the support from the Economic Fundamentals Initiative and the US-based Atlas Network.

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The Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Tetovo has received a criminal complaint from the Financial Police, accusing an employee of the University of Tetova of abuse of office and document forgery.

According to authorities, the defendant A.Z., employed as a senior associate for logistics and fieldwork, is suspected of having misappropriated, between March 2020 and February 2023, money entrusted to him by students for tuition fees, co-financing, and other study expenses.

Instead of depositing these funds into the university’s bank account via the E-pay platform, he is accused of pocketing them, illegally obtaining approximately 3,362,272 denars. According to the complaint, this same amount has caused financial damage to the University of Tetova.

To cover his tracks, he is suspected of preparing forged payment receipts, which he handed to students as proof that payment had been made.

Investigations have revealed that to forge the documents, he took the data and QR code from a genuine E-pay payment receipt and then altered the payer’s name, amount, and date. Believing in the authenticity of the documents, students uploaded them to the university’s electronic system and submitted them to the student service.

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