Albania ranks last in the region for investing in children’s education!

The Albanian Coalition for Child Education publishes the Evaluation Report on the Pre-University Situation in Albania.

Tirana, 9 July 2013 - The Albanian Coalition for Child Education - ACCE published today an "Evaluation Report on the Pre-University situation in Albania’’, prepared by Prof. Dr. Mimoza Gjokutaj in collaboration with the Children’s Human Rights Centre of Albania–CRCA. This report focuses on the analyses of the pre-university educational situation in Albania, various reforms the curricula has undergone through, findings, data, comparative analysis on participation rates in education and budget programming’s on education.

The report has its focus principally on teaching, its quality and the intrinsic reforms that the educational system has undergone through in the country in the few recent years. It examines issues like: child access to education, teacher’s development, teacher’s competences and training models, licensing, ongoing qualifications, technology, teaching resources and computerization of schools. The report provides comparative data for a curtain time lap regarding the results and achievements of students and analyzes evaluation and monitoring methods related to student outcomes. The report pinpoints issues such as school dropout, low quality of education, the educational situation of Roma children, vulnerable groups, children with special educational needs, respect for children's rights, etc.

Based on the analysis it can be stated that whereas the countries of the region and the European Union have experienced an increase in the number of students that attend school, in Albania data show that:

• The enrolment rate in primary schools is 95%-96%;
• The level of attendance at preschool has reached 50%-54%; - Children who have reached the 5th grade are at 90%;
• Enrolment in secondary education has reached 73% -75%;

Taking in consideration the above, the Albanian Coalition for Child Education (ACCE) takes the publication of the evaluation report as an opportunity to address the new Government and the Ministry of Education and Science in particular, asking the following:

1. Increase the budget and investments for child education at 6%, where improved and qualitative education is provided to every child without discrimination;

2. Every child in pre-school: the upbringing of children with educators and teachers to encourage the proper and healthy growing process is a right that should not be denied to any child;

3. Reduce school dropout rates: The improvement of life conditions for the poor and disadvantaged families who suffer the hidden costs of poverty and the high costs of education shall be a prime consideration, in order to combat school drop outs between the children of the poorest families;

4. Programs of support for children in vulnerable situations: An increase in the expenditure and budgeting within school reform taking into account the problems of children who come from family situations that may be exposed to discriminating factors.