All decisions we’ve made were based on the best interest of the country, students and teachers. Amid the pandemic, we aimed to ensure accessible, timely, quality education. Priority was given to establishing the best possible system for holding classes, that would at the same time protect public health and lay the groundwork for future changes, Minister of Education and Science Mila Carovska told a press briefing on the occasion of government’s first 100 days.
She stressed the success of the learning model in force, adding that the government also managed in this short period to start implementing reforms in the sector.
“Challenging situations will always arise, but we’re resolved to establish a new kind of education policies to change the system in medium and long-term,” Carovska said.
At Wednesday’s press conference, she briefed the public on results achieved in five areas, one of which is access to timely, available and quality education for every student amid the pandemic.
“The combined learning model ensured the stability of the learning process. We also managed to curb the spread of the virus in schools. Less than 1% of students and teachers have been infected, while over 90% of students are successfully taking part in online classes,” the Minister noted.
She underlined that 1,600 teachers have been trained by 36 national instructors in order to provide support to the rest of the faculty at their schools.
Student dormitories, she added, reopened in line with special protection protocols, in order to accomodate students that attend in-person classes.
“We also increased by 2% funds for teachers’ salaries and overtime work, as well as for providing hygiene products and equipment for online classes,” Carovska pointed out.
Moreover, she stressed focus on digitalization of the education system, including online classes and digital scholarship applications in order to protect students’ health, facilitate access to Education Ministry services in the long-term and prevent corruption.
“To end successfully the current school year, seniors will have to take the state graduation exam. Preparations for the exam are underway, the process will be safe and exam questions will be simplified. Students and teachers are working with the Education Ministry to ensure the process runs smoothly,” Carovska said.
She stressed focus in the past 100 days on implementation of education reforms.
“We’re fully committed to implementing changes in the learning process and building an inclusive education system, accessible to all. For the first time, Mden 54 million have been allocated in the budget for hiring learning assistants,” Carovska told reporters.
The Minister also discussed a new concept for primary education, based on the results of PISA, PIRLS and domestic analysis, adding that three regional vocational education centers are set to be opened in Kumanovo, Tetovo and Ohrid.
Moreover, she pointed out that higher education institutions have been allocated 34 innovation vouchers amounting to EUR 15 million, stressing that the Finance Ministry only approves projects that ensure accessibility.
Carovska also briefed the public on establishment of scholarships for occupations in high demand on the labor market, as well as the increased number of scholarships allocated to Roma students, students from socially-vulnerable families and those with disabilities.
