Prishtina, 10 October 2022
Speech of Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti at the “School in Mind” Symposium, organized by the Center for Psycho-Social and Medical Research and the Kosovo Education Center to mark the World Mental Health Day:
Greetings everyone,
Participants, researchers and guests of today’s symposium,
First of all, I apologize for not being there among you today. Numerous commitments within and outside the office made it impossible for me to physically attend the symposium.
I am glad that the Center for Psycho-Social and Medical Research and the Kosovo Education Center are addressing the issue of the psychological well-being of students in our schools, and that precisely on World Mental Health Day. Thank you for this much needed event on a topic as sensitive as it is important.
When I was reading the title of the Symposium “School in Mind”, I thought of childhood where to everything is connected and where everything is built. Maybe childhood has sometimes seemed to us to stay in one place, in one space, in one dimension. But, in fact, it is a time that, in addition to its delicacy, is the most creative and developmental period for children. A past that does not exist, for an invisible future that awaits us. We can know the current situation; we can predict the future. But it is the duty of each of us, and especially of state institutions, to build the security of the future, especially for children.
The institution of the school has a significant political and social weight. Every step the state takes, almost every decision-making link is closely related to the health, well-being, education and rights of children. Only increased and uninterrupted care ensures the full development of the child.
The teacher should start raising the students from their broad and humane knowledge. They are the extension of children’s schooling for progressive minds. They should know the students from their character traits to their mental and emotional intelligence, from social behavior in the classroom to that in the family environment, from physical to psychological health, from weaknesses and challenges to skills and successes, from disinterest to fostering curiosity, and from low self-esteem to high self-confidence. The teacher should have deep knowledge including, in addition to educational knowledge, an empathic and solidarity aspect as well.
Our classrooms must be student-centered. Schools and teachers must create an environment that welcomes and inspires the student but also his or her family. Therefore, it is required to encourage a structure of interaction at all levels: with parents, teachers, the extended family, work supervision, and the legislator.
Therefore, support services in schools are being increased and strengthened so that no child is left behind. Because everyone deserves quality education. This year we hired 100 assistants for children with disabilities, while another 300 have been budgeted for the following years. Our government is working towards the fundamental changes that our country needs. Special attention is being paid to raising pre-university education quality. Under the Strategy 2022-2026, activities are foreseen that will help prevent and report forms of violence of any kind.
We are in the process of doubling the number of education inspectors, so that they monitor the implementation of child protection policies, prevention of violence and abandonment. We are working on the revision of the legislation for the increased engagement of psychologists and pedagogues.
For these and many other actions, joint work and maximum dedication is needed from everyone. Therefore, today, on World Mental Health Day, I wish for a Kosovo where mental health is valued, promoted and protected. A place where stigma is fought and the right to good mental health and well-being is realized.
We have focused our work on increasing and strengthening services, with the aim of making our schools friendlier and safer for our children. As the impressions of our early school years remain forever in everyone’s minds. Traces of educational models are embedded in our expressions and behaviors, towards ourselves and towards each other. They cannot disappear. We must acquire them correctly and well, distribute them as guides for development and progress.
The best guide is for freed minds to be guided by passions and dreams, on one side, and conscience and responsibility, on the other side.
Thank you once again for inviting me to this symposium. I wish you successful progress and good work and many achievements.
Last modified: October 11, 2022