To educate citizens who will be making decisions on their own, based on analyses and facts, and who will be the driving force of our society, we need to completely reform the educational system after being neglected for years, Minister of Education and Science Mila Carovska said Tuesday.

She took part in a panel organized by the Union of High School Students to mark International Students’ Day.

A working group comprised of experts, professors, teachers and civil society representatives is already working on the reforms and conceiving a new concept, the Minister said, adding she expected the reformed educational system to be implemented starting from 2021/2022 school year in elementary education.

“The concept will be adapted to the modern international trends. We’ve been focused on digitization. The coronavirus pandemic has only accelerated the process, which is inevitable. We should keep using devices after the pandemic is over as tools to support instruction,” Carovska said.

In addition to modernization, she added, stereotypes, which can be often found in textbooks, will be removed.

“Tolerance and the concept of one society for all should be instilled from an early age. These issues will be addressed in the new curriculums for elementary education. It is the way to create future generations that will respect diversity,” the Minister stressed.

Being a staunch activist on gender equality, Carovska pledged she would advocate for as many women as possible to be appointed in top posts in education.

Speaking at the panel, Minister Carovska said young people are an important partner of the Education Ministry in creating youth-related policies. A working group has been formed aimed at engaging young people in creating these policies.

The event also included addresses EU Ambassador David Geer, UNICEF Country Representative Patrizia di Giovanni, and the President of the Union of High School Students.