ALBANIA LAUNCHES THE NATIONAL TEACHER PRIZE

Tirana, 15 May 2017 – The Ministry of Education and Sports, Albanian Coalition for Child Education in collaboration with Child Rights Centre Albania organised the press conference for the launch of the National Teacher Prize-Albania.

The National Teacher Prize-Albania aims to draw attention and appraise teachers at national level for their contribution to education, helping children in their education, using innovative techniques in teaching and that advocate for fulfilling children’s rights for equitable and quality inclusive education.

The Minister of Education and Sports, Ms. Lindita Nikolla appraised the figure of teacher as a key figure not only in school for ensuring quality and inclusive education but also considered them as the essential figure of the society. She expressed the gratification that Albania is part of the initiative and ensured that that the Ministry of Education and Sports will support the initiative and that prize standards be the right ones and to encourage teachers to become part of the initiative.

On behalf of Albanian Coalition for Child Educaion Mr. Altin Hazizaj, shared with the participants the selection criteria for all the teachers who will apply. The criteria are in line with criteria of Varkey Foundation, on which a jury composed by distinguished public figures will evaluate the candidates. The criteria are: achieving demonstrable learning outcomes in the classroom, recognizing teacher achievements, using innovative teaching practices, educating children to become global citizens, encouraging teachers to stay in the profession, etc.

Teachers from both public and private preuniversity education system can participate in the the National Teacher Prize-Albania. Five will be the main categories of assessment: Teacher of the Year in Teaching; Teacher of the Year in Avocating the Right of Education; Teacher of the Year in Innovation; Teacher of the Year as a Contributor to Academic Achievements; Teacher of the Year in Primary Education.

The online application form will be available by Friday 19th May 2070. The nomination call will be widely disseminated through the media, social networks, ACCE web and traditional communication channels. Each teacher, school staff at national level can participate in the nomination, associating it with a biography and work contribution of the selected teacher or herself, letters of reference (wrriten by group of pupils/parents/teacers/shcool director)   and a video presentation.

The jury will evaluate all the candidates, from which will select the 20 best teachers. Teacher profiles will be made public on the official website of the Albanian Coalition for Child Education. The winners will be launched and prizes will be awarded at a public event, in October.

The winning teachers will participate and compete with teachers from all over the world in the Global Teacher Prize. The Global Teacher Prize, which has been appreciated by the media as the Nobel Prize in Teaching, is an initiative of Varkey Foundation, which assesses the teacher's profession as well as reveals thousands of teachers' stories that have contributed to the transformation of children and youth’s lives.

Representatives of the Ministry of Education and Sports, representatives of REDs, Education Trade Union, Teachers, civil society organizations and media attended the Opening Conference.

For more information please contact linda.pino@crca.al; phone: +355606075400; web: www.acce.al