The new government, which was approved on Thursday in the Albanian Parliament, will increase the average salary of teachers to 1250 euros by 2029, from 950 euros today.
The focus of the government’s 4-year education program is the construction of 200 new schools, equipped with European infrastructure and modern technology, to guarantee quality education for every student. 1000 smart laboratories will also be installed by 2027, guaranteeing access for every student to digital technology learning, ATSH writes.
Another priority is the expansion of online educational services, the digitalization of testing, and the provision of automatic recognition of diplomas, through the establishment of a specialized agency certified according to international standards.
Within the fourth mandate, the food program will also be implemented in every central-district municipality, as well as the launch of a new after-school program.
The program also includes the development of new curricula where digital technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence are integral parts, while all teachers will be trained to implement them with digital skills and contemporary teaching methods.
In the fourth mandate, the government will continue to guarantee free textbooks for 236 thousand basic education students, students from national minorities and special social categories in secondary schools.
Another priority is equipping schools with smart cameras, as well as doubling the number of security officers and increasing the presence of psychologists and social workers in schools.
The number of assistant teachers to support children with disabilities will also increase and investment will be made in resource classrooms in every school, as well as in personalized teaching platforms according to the specific needs of students.
The program also foresees the establishment of a public school transportation company and the provision of free transportation for students and teachers who travel a distance from their residence, in certain areas.
Special attention will also be paid to supporting schools with an artistic and sports orientation, guaranteeing their autonomy and financial support, as well as establishing a new school model with a scientific orientation and focus on innovation, starting with the opening of the Franco-Albanian Lyceum.
Meanwhile, the financial support program for teachers in the diaspora will be expanded within 2027 and support for children and teachers of the Albanian language will be strengthened with free books and the creation of a platform for learning the Albanian language and culture.
In the fourth term, the government will double the number of students in vocational education by investing 60 million euros in the construction of vocational schools and the installation of technical laboratories.
Another objective is to reach 35% of the total number of students attending vocational education and to guarantee that by 2030 all vocational education students will have dormitories with European standards.
The focus of the government program is also to turn the internationalization of universities into a guideline for development policies in higher education, aiming to open branches of prestigious international universities and increase joint, double and foreign language programs. The campus of the Technological University of Compiegne is opened near the Polytechnic University of Tirana, enriching the academic offer for local and foreign students.
The academic diaspora will also be involved in policymaking, teaching, and scientific research, through government programs that follow best international experiences and create bridges of cooperation.
A scientific research system aligned with the EU model will be built, by implementing the legal framework for science and doubling investments in modern laboratories in public universities, institutes and research units.
Financial support for doctoral programs for young researchers will also be launched, including the academic diaspora and promoting academia-business cooperation, with the aim of the scientific research system in Albania absorbing funds comparable to EU countries from the Horizon Europe program.
The new program will improve university and research infrastructure through the establishment of new campuses and major investments, starting the construction of the University of Tirana and the College of Europe campus, developing the University of Durrës campus, completing investments in the Polytechnic University campuses, and building the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of Elbasan.