The Albanian Coalition for Education (ACE) submits recommendations to the EU Delegation in Albania for Progress Report 2019

Tirana, 7 November 2018 - In the framework of the discussion on Albania's Progress Report 2019, the Albanian Coalition for Education (ACE), submitted to the European Union delegation in Tirana, its opinion on the situation of pre-university education and difficulties that children face in the enjoyment of their right to a quality and inclusive public education.

The document presented, highlighted that despite the fact that education is considered a public good; education is not a priority for the government. Currently, Albania spends 2.9% of GDP on education; a figure that compared to the European Union countries is very low.

Children's poverty and their right to education is another concern presented in the document. More than 100,000 children live in poverty; more than 50,000 poor children are forced to work to secure income for their family. About 15,000 children are out of the education system, 36% of Roma children are out of school and 43% of children with disabilities do not attend the school as their peers.

Another particular focus was violence at school institutions, a worrying phenomenon for Albanian reality. Figures speak for over 41% of children have experienced a form of psychological violence, while 1 in 5 pupils reported being threatened by the teacher at different frequencies.

Based on all these figures and facts, ACE has also recommended to Albanian lawmakers institutions some points regarding pre-university education in the country.

• Increase the budget for education to 5%, and a specific budget line dedicated to education of children with disabilities;
• Based on the law on pre-university education, the Albanian Government must provide free textbooks for all children across the country;
• The Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth must implement a National Action Plan for the Elimination and Report of cases of violence, discrimination in education institution;
• The Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth should implement the national program "Security and zero violence in schools" by establishing Commission for the Prevention of Violence, which aims to verify, analyses and treat all cases of violence, discrimination and bullying reported ;
• The quality of education needs to be raised at all levels, to better equip people with skills that the labor market needs.