GLOBAL ACTION WEEK FOR EDUCATION GOES AHEAD IN ALBANIA!

Albanian Coalition for Education holds the 16th consecutive Global Action Week for Education in Albania!

22 April 2018 - For the 16th consecutive year, the Albanian Coalition for Education opened today the Global Action Week for Education, which seeks to bring to the attention of policymakers the responsibilities that they have taken by signing the Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SGD).

Under the motto "Accountability for SDG 4! Keep the Promises! "ACE members activities will focus this week on the state's obligation to build democratic and governance systems through increased funding to ensure a qualitative and inclusive public education for every child and youth in Albania.

This year, in line with the motto of the Global Action Week, we intend to intensify our mobilization of citizens and civil society to hold the government accountable for meeting in full the targets of SDG4, by urging the Albanian government to "Keep the Promises!", especially in terms of financing pre-university public education.

From 22-28 April 2018, during the Global Action Week for Education, ACE Albania will conduct a series of events to bring to the attention of the Government, politicians, national and international organizations, as well as the media, some of the most concerning issues related to basic education in Albania:

• The national budget continues to be far too low for financing basic education in Albania;
• Over 100,000 poor children fail to attend school regularly;
• 28% of children are beneficiaries of cash handouts provided by the Government;
• 50,000 children of compulsory education work every day in domestic work to ensure their survival;
• 20% of school-age children live in poverty, facing difficulties in meeting their basic living needs;
• Only 44% of children manage to consume breakfast during 5 days of the week, when they attend school;
• 64% of children with disabilities aged 7-18 years old do not attend compulsory education.

Among the major events that will take place throughout the Global Action Week for Education are:

1. Presentation of the major ACE study: Financing Public Pre-University Education in Albania 2008-2018.

For the first time, a study was carried out,  with the support of ACE Albania and Global Campaign for Education establishing a complete picture of the level of financing of pre-university education during the last 10 years and the impact that the level of funding plays in guaranteeing qualitative and inclusive education for all.

2. Public Hearing at the Albanian Parliament on the following issues:

• Budget for Education 2019, as well as mid-term budget 2019-2021;
• Challenges from the implementation of the " School as Community Center" initiative.
• Protecting children from violence and bullying at school.

3. Information Sessions for students of the Faculty of Social Sciencesat the University of Tirana on Albanian Coalition for Education and the importance of organizing the Global Education Week in Albania.

4. Consultation with students of Shkodra Youth Parliament and local NGO’s in Shkodra, to present major issues of concern for education in Albania while identify local problems for children and young people attending basic and secondary education.

For more information, please contact:

Linda Pino

National Coalition Coordinator for Education in Albania

E-mail: linda.pino@crca.al