Prishtina, 23 December 2024
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Minister of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Arberie Nagavci, and the World Bank Deputy Director for Kosovo and North Macedonia, Jane Millicent Sprouster, launched the pilot implementation of the Voucher Program, part of the World Bank Project “Early Childhood Education and Care for Kosovo’s Human Capital.”
This program aims to increase the inclusion of more children aged 3 to 5 years in early childhood education services, specifically those from families registered under the social assistance scheme. Beneficiary families will be able to enroll their children in licensed kindergartens, with the program covering the costs of kindergarten fees and transportation.
The program is financed by the World Bank’s Early Learning Partnership with a total of 1.8 million EUR (2 million USD), based on the Grant Agreement signed between the Republic of Kosovo and the World Bank. The Government’s formal request for this project was submitted in December 2022, after which the design process began, the finalized agreement was signed on 28 June 2024, and today marks the commencement of the pilot phase of the voucher scheme in practice.
Prime Minister Kurti emphasized that the significance of the Voucher Program lies in the fact that participation in early education provides children with greater opportunities for cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development while also enhancing their problem-solving skills.
The increased inclusion of children in education creates expanded opportunities for parental employment and professional development, especially for mothers, serving as a factor for sustainable economic growth alongside social and psychological stability,” the Prime Minister added.
The Prime Minister also emphasized that scientific research has shown that early education results in successful individuals because it helps establish a strong foundation for academic success and lifelong learning and advancement.
The Minister of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Arbërie Nagavci, stated that early childhood education nurtures curious and intelligent individuals who are lifelong learners and bring valuable contributions to themselves and society. According to her, this has been the guiding principle throughout this journey and continues to inspire, with a strong belief that it will be immensely productive for the children and the future of our country.
The Government of the Republic of Kosovo prioritizes early childhood education as the first among five priority areas in the Kosovo Education Strategy 2022–2026, as evidenced by the adoption of the Law on Early Childhood in the Assembly of the Republic on 4 July 2023 and the development and piloting of the new curriculum for early childhood education.
Prime Minister Kurti’s full speech:
Honorable Minister of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ms. Arberie Nagavci,
Honorable Ms. Jane Millicent Sprouster, Deputy Director of the World Bank for Kosovo and North Macedonia,
Honorable Mr. Tigran Shmis, Project Leader from the World Bank,
Distinguished members of the media,
Good morning, and thank you for being here with us today, as we continue with good news for the most sensitive category of our society: children. While yesterday, together with the Minister of Finance, Labor, and Transfers, Mr. Hekuran Murati, we informed you about additional and ongoing support for children and pensioners, today we have the pleasure of announcing the launch of the pilot phase of the voucher program—part of the World Bank Project titled “Early Childhood Education and Care for Kosovo’s Human Capital.”
This significant project begins with the pilot implementation of the voucher program, which aims to provide direct support to families registered in the social assistance scheme. Specifically, it creates opportunities for the inclusion of more children aged 3 to 5 years from these families in early childhood education services. Beneficiary families will be able to enroll their children in licensed kindergartens, with the program covering the costs of kindergarten fees and transportation. The program is financed by the World Bank’s Early Learning Partnership with a total of 1.8 million EUR (around 2 million USD), based on the Grant Agreement signed between the Republic of Kosovo and the World Bank. As a government, we submitted the formal request for this project to the World Bank in December 2022. From that point, the design process began, the finalized agreement was signed on 28 June 2024, and today we are commencing the practical pilot implementation of the voucher scheme.
The voucher program being launched is significant because participation in early education provides children with greater opportunities for cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development while also enhancing their problem-solving skills. On the other hand, increased inclusion of children in education creates expanded opportunities for parental employment and professional development, especially for mothers, serving as a factor for sustainable economic growth alongside social and psychological stability.
This process is directly linked to our strategic priorities and the relevant policies undertaken during this governing mandate. With the approval of the Law on Early Childhood in the Assembly of the Republic on 4 July 2023, the drafting of a new curriculum for early childhood education, and its pilot implementation (currently ongoing), we have demonstrated that actions speak louder than words.
Our actions throughout this mandate, and particularly over the past two years, prove that as a government, we remain true to our promises institutionally and through effective intersectoral coordination.
Scientific research has shown that early education results in successful individuals because it helps establish a strong foundation for academic success and lifelong learning and advancement. It is no coincidence that early childhood education is the first among the five priority areas in the Kosovo Education Strategy 2022–2026, also approved during this government mandate.
While children are undoubtedly the most sensitive category of society, they are also the foundation of our shared future, the material that will shape and elevate Kosovo tomorrow. They are the human capital that will build an intellectual and strong society, one best equipped to face life’s challenges. By nurturing a culture of knowledge and creativity from an early age, we are cultivating intelligent, hardworking, and innovative individuals who thrive within a healthy family and society.
With confidence that the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation will successfully implement this initiative, I guarantee continuous support in all necessary forms to ensure the proper functioning of the voucher program.
Thank you very much for your participation and attention.
Last modified: December 27, 2024