GAW 2013 activities in Albania

Organisation of GAW activities are becoming a tradition for both Albanian education trade unions, FSASH and SPASH.

Through their commitment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science and other Coalition partners, GAW activities in Albania are being organised better and involving more and more districts’ trade unions sections, teachers, pupils and other stakeholders.

Based on EI support, as well as on both their own contributions, after preparations, following the suggestions from EI, they started their activities on Monday and will continue also during the coming days.

A wide material was prepared and distributed to the main district sections, being focused on the respective package sent by EI, but also on the real situation in Albania regarding qualified teachers and problems we are facing to provide quality education to all children.

Both our trade unions are part of a wide Coalition, leaded by Children Rights Center of Albania, (CRCA), composed of more than 12 organisations and NGO-s, acting in the framework of GAW 2013.

A special poster was prepared by Albanian Coalition and distributed to all participating partners.

National Meeting in Tirana

An interesting meeting was organised by FSASH and SPASH yesterday, on 23 April, in Tirana, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science.

More than 60 teachers and local trade union leaders, from Tirana City and Tirana district were gathered in the Ministry of Education on the occasion of GAW 2013 activities. Representatives from CRCA took laso part in the meeting.

The opening speech was held by the Chairman of FSASH, Xhafer Dobrushi, who mentioned the commitment of both FSASH and SPASH for quality education, for teachers training and for keeping children in school, working concretely also for reducing drop outs from school and prevention and elimination of child labour.

Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Mr. Halit Shamata, spoke about the engagement of all the structures of the Ministry and Regional Educational Directorates to improve the situation regarding preparation of qualified teachers, their recruiting based on defined criteria and their in service continuous training.

He mentioned the special structures set up for training of teachers, the Law on Pre University education system in Albania and the contribution of FSASH and SPASH to include in that Law special items on teachers training and teachers recruiting.

He also pointed out that actually in Albania there is one qualified teacher for around 17 pupils and the teaching technology has made progress having an average of one computer  for 7 pupils.  

Following, Vice President of SPASH, Nevrus Kaptelli, appreciated the collaboration with the Ministry and local educational directorates and pointed out the engagement of trade unions, mentioning some of the activities organised in the framework of  projects implementation and GAW in Albania.

Stavri Liko, General Secretary of FSASH, spoke about the International Conference on Elimination of Child Labour, organised in Uganda on 18-19 April, and its Declaration, mentioning some of the obligations of the Government, Ministry, education trade unions and other stakeholders to keep children in school, prevent and eliminate child labour and so on.

Teachers and local trade union leaders asked questions and discussed various issues related to teachers qualifications and other aspects related to this topic.

Regional meeting in Durres

A special meeting was also organised on Monday, 22 April in Durres, the second largest city in Albania.

More than 40 teachers and school based trade union leaders from both FSASH and SPASH, took part in that meeting.

Both chairmen, Xhafer Dobrushi and Bajram Kruja, as well as the representative from Regional Educational Directorate, Gani Mece, took part in the meeting.

The opening speech was held by the Vice President of SPASH, Nevrus Kaptelli, who pointed out the role of FSASH and SPASH in organising activities on the occasion of GAW, mentioning also the main theme of this year Global Action Week, on qualified teachers.

Following, the General Secretary of FSASH, Stavri Liko, spoke widely on GAW, role of GCE and EI in leading these activities, the main topic for GAW 2013, facts on qualified teachers world wide and in Albania, activities and messages of these activities, role of the Ministry and other educational institutions, the main demands of FSASH and SPASH from Albanian Government and the Ministry of Education and Science.

He also spoke about the Declaration approved in the International Conference in Uganda, on 19 April and the main messages and demands towards Albanian Government and Ministry to coordinate actions aiming to keep all children in school.

The representative of Durresi Regional Educational Directorate, Gani Mece, spoke about the situation regarding qualified teachers in Durres and the efforts of trade unions in collaboration with Regional Educational Directorate to recruit and continues training of teachers.

Local trade union leaders of Durresi District, Sadik Reci, SPASH, and Bashkim Shyle, FSASH, as well as teachers and school based trade union leaders spoke about the situation in their schools and the need for more attention from the Educational Directorate about in services training for teachers.

Other activities are planned to be organised on the occasion of GAW, today and in the next days, including meetings with politicians, as well as activities in many trade union sections and schools, especially in Tirana, Vlora, Elbasani, Korca, Fieri and other districts.

Stavri LIKO

General Secretary FSASH

Coordinator of GAW activities for FSASH and SPASH, Albania