Prishtina, 1 June 2023
In the framework of the activities, on the occasion of June 1, International Children’s Day, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in an open discussion with students from different municipalities of the country, organized by the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation.
In front of the many children and others present, Prime Minister Kurti said that the Government’s efforts for the protection of children, for the protection of their rights, for the realization of those rights and for the improvement of children’s well-being, are both continuous and concrete. He said that the government is implementing the National Strategy for Children’s Rights and the sectoral ones that affect the interests of children.
We have made public education free at all levels, we have approved 3 very important laws in the Government and have submitted them to the Assembly, the Law on Early Childhood Development; Law on School Textbooks and Law on Higher Education.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Kurti stated that the Education Strategy 2022-2026 has been approved, which is necessary because government policies and public policies consist of two main components: laws, legislation, and strategies. Law alone is not enough, strategy alone is not enough, both are needed. So, policies are laws plus strategies. Now we have already approved the Strategy for Education 2022-2026″, he said.
Prime Minister Kurti mentioned the employment of 160 assistants for children with disabilities, 20 education inspectors, while emphasizing that they are working on curricula for early childhood education.
In this discussion, emphasis was also placed on the support of 200 thousand euros for organizations that support Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian children in learning centers, another 200 thousand euros of support for projects of organizations that support children with extraordinary potential, and the distribution of 500 scholarships per year for Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian students. Likewise, the Prime Minister said that through the Economic Revival package, Measure 1.5, 957 vouchers have been distributed to graduates who have been trained in the field of Information and Communication Technology, 600 euros per candidate.
Regarding our children abroad, the Prime Minister said that the text Albanian Language and Albanian Culture – Level 1 has been published for children abroad, so that they can also integrate where they live, but without assimilation. “Good knowledge of Albanian language and Albanian culture is a guarantee that you will integrate successfully wherever you live, but at the same time you are not assimilated in terms of your identity”, he said, adding that in cooperation with Albania they are preparing of the second edition of the text for Diaspora, and the unification of the national alphabet textbook with Albania has also been done.
After the opening speech, while meeting with the students to mark June 1, Children’s Day, Prime Minister Kurti together with Minister Nagavci responded to the interest of the students, which were mainly related to the curricula, education, investment and increasing the quality of education. for the future, for volunteering, for which the Prime Minister said that the Government is working hard and with dedication, and for this, as he said, the link between education and employment is important.
Prime Minister Kurti’s speech:
I am also pleased to be here with Minister Arbërie Nagavci, the director of the Office for Good Governance, Habit Hajredini, the director of Save the Children, Ahmet Kryeziu, and other officials of the ministry, Save the Children and Syri Vision organization.
The Government’s efforts for the protection of children, for the protection of their rights, for the realization of those rights and for the improvement of children’s well-being, are both continuous and concrete. We are implementing the National Strategy for Children’s Rights and the sectoral ones that affect the interests of children.
We have made public education free at all levels, we have approved at the Government and sent to the Assembly 3 very important laws:
– The first is the Law on Early Childhood Development;
– The second is the Law on School Textbooks, and
– The third is the Law on Higher Education.
We have also approved the 2022-2026 Education Strategy. Strategies are necessary, because government policies, public policies consist of two main components: of laws, legislation and strategies. Law alone is not enough, strategy alone is not enough, both are needed. So, policies are laws plus strategies. We have now approved the Strategy for Education 2022-2026.
For two years, 160 assistants have been employed for children with disabilities, and 300 more are in the process, and during this mandate, we will undoubtedly reach and maybe even exceed the number of 500. 20 education inspectors are currently being hired and the same number will be hired every year until the necessary number is reached for the supervision of schools and their respective needs.
We are working on curricula for early childhood education. We have allocated 200,000 euros in support for organizations that support Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian children in learning centers. Since these communities suffer the most difficult situation both materially and socially, and also in terms of educational and academic preparation.
Then, an adittional 200 thousand euros of support for projects of organizations that aid children with exceptional potential. 500 scholarships per year for Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian students. Additionaly, through the Economic Revival package, Measure 1.5, 957 vouchers have been distributed to graduates who have been trained in the field of Information and Communication Technology, at the amount of 600 euros per candidate.
The program for assistants for children with special needs of Level 5 is being implemented.
The qualification program for career advisors is in the process of accreditation at the National Qualifications Authority. As you go on to learn learn, discover, nurture your talent, you also begin to shape and mold your future decision on what profession you may have in life. Sometimes, professions are chosen late in life, but sometimes they are also chosen early, depending on when and to what extent children’s affinities and talents are discovered and cultivated.
After the completion of the construction of four school buildings with a total area of 7,100 square meters thanks to MESTI investments, 21 school buildings are being built and the construction of five schools has begun. The construction of a nursery with an area of 600 square meters for children has been completed and the construction of 12 nurseries continues and the construction of 15 nurseries will begin once again with investments from MESTI.
The construction of three physical education halls with an area of 2,105 square meters has been completed and the construction of 13 more physical education halls will continue, because in the past schools were built, but the physical education halls were not, which is both a mistake and a loss.
22 physical education halls have been equipped with sports equipment, 27 schools have been supplied with school equipment, and 34 schools have maintenance equipment for pre-university education facilities.
For our children abroad, we have published the text Albanian Language and Albanian Culture – Level 1 for children in the diaspora, so they can also integrate where they live, but without assimilation. Good knowledge of Albanian language and Albanian culture is a guarantee that you will integrate successfully wherever you live, but at the same time you are not assimilated in terms of your identity.
In cooperation with Albania, we are preparing the second text for diaspora, because this was only Level 1, and we have unified the national alphabet textbook with Albania.
So, these are some of the achievements made by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo for students and children, emphasizing education and upbringing as crucial for the good formation of personalities, but also for the successful pursuit of professions in the future.
Thank you very much once again to everyone who joined us today for this open discussion.
Last modified: June 6, 2023