The number of students taking part in online classes has increased by 18% since the start of the school year, Education Minister Mila Carovska said on Tuesday.

According to Carovska, teachers are fully equipped to hold classes remotely and students have also gotten used to this method. They are expected to get their first grades by November 20.

Instructions on how to grade students, the Minister stressed, have already been sent to teachers and school principals. If they struggle grading a particular student remotely, teachers have the opportunity to schedule an in-person meeting with them.

“We’re in constant communication with principals and mayors to improve the system. Challenges exist, but I’m glad classes take place uninterrupted,” Carovska told reporters following presentation of results the Fund for Innovation and Technological Development’s public call for awarding funds through innovation vouchers.

She underlined that the current learning model should remain in force by the end of the school year.

Moreover, the Minister noted that the State Education Inspectorate has been charged with checking whether students who take part in the distance learning model and watch classes broadcasted via national television regularly receive learning materials.

Regarding the number of COVID-19 patients in the education system, she said that 0.06% of the total number of students throughout the country have been infected with COVID-19, in addition to the 0.58% of teachers and other staff, i.e. 40 students and 52 teachers and staffers.

“This is a result of the increase in new coronavirus cases throughout the country. However, the situation is stable and protocols are being implemented. Thus, there has been no rapid increase in the number of infected teachers and students attending in-person classes,” Carovska underlined.