Albania: Education for All Week- ‘Every Child Needs A Teacher’

In Albania, World Vision Albania and the Albanian Coalition For Children’s Education drew attention to the Albanian education system under the theme, ‘ Every Child Needs A Qualified Teacher’.

The NGOs partnered with the aim of raising awareness through the distribution of recommendations on improved educational methods titled ‘Albania and Child Education’ and a press conference in the capital, Tirana, addressing important educational issues.

A lack of quality education, lack of qualified teachers, the school abandonment phenomenon, and children who are left out of school system, were top of the campaign agenda directed to the Albanian Government and the wider public.

In Albania, some 10,000 teachers currently work in the primary and secondary sector without appropriate diplomas, according to the Syndicate of Teachers In Albania, some 10,000 teachers currently work in the primary and secondary sector without appropriate diplomas, according to the Syndicate of Teachers. Teachers without diplomas are estimated to constitute 13 per cent in the primary education (first to fourth grades), and 18 per cent in the secondary education (fifth to ninth grades). Rural areas need particular attention.

Almost 50 per cent of all the classes are collective classes, which means students from different grades study in the same classroom.

Children partnered with school boards to organise meetings with regional educational authorities and heads of communes, asking the local authorities to pay more attention and care about children’s education.

Colourful posters produced were hung in every school with the message ‘All the children have to jump on the knowledge boat, one good teacher will ensure a safe and pleasant ride for everyone’.

An estimated 2,000 children and teachers from all 12 World Vision ADP schools directly participated in the campaign.

“We are close to the students, we know their families and the many problems the families are facing so we are trying our best to support the children,” said Rifat Kryiziu, a director of the school.

Activities and trainings were carried out in different schools to raise awareness in the communities and amongst the teachers on the importance of having quality teaching qualifications.

Almost 50 per cent of all the classes are collective classes, which means students from different grades study in the same classroom The coalition is planning to organise a hearing for parliamentary members of the Education and Media Commission during the month of May. A national workshop is being planned involving all the stakeholders to discuss issues concerning education for Albanian children.

World Vision Albania works to create sustainable change in the education sector, where it operates, through awareness raising campaigns, and investment in school infrastructure and through networking to influence policies in partnership with local governments, communities and other civil society organisations.