Newly-built schools, all designed to meet contemporary European standards and infrastructure for habitability and environmental comfort and provide spaces for optimum education, have already become a reality in most of the areas worst-hit by the earthquake across the country thanks to the ongoing post-earthquake Reconstruction Programme. One of them is Gjon Luka nine-year school in the village of Luz, Fushë- Krujë municipality, built back from scratch recently. The new educational facility is designed to provide contemporary education standards, just like any educational facility in the European Union member states.

“It is a facility fully reconstructed and it will welcome 160 children, 130 of whom are pupils in nine- year basic education system, and 30 preschool children,” the Minister for Reconstruction Arben Ahmetaj said as he accompanied Prime Minister Edi Rama during a visit to the new school building.

Education Minister Evis Kushi noted that the new school is also designed to serve as a community centre, adding that the teaching staff is ready to welcome pupils in the new school year. “Teachers have already returned to work and are preparing for the supplementary classes during entire September until September 27, when the new school year begins. In addition to the supplementary classes, teachers have also drafted a program of sports and cultural events so that schoolchildren can be as active as possible during this period,” Mrs. Kushi said.

Introduction of the English language as a compulsory subject starting with the first grade in this school will be the novelty of the upcoming school year. The process – the Education Minister went to underline – already started in May with the curricula and the teachers’ training and the texts are also ready.

The eighth and ninth graders will also be eligible to benefit the textbook for free this year, a move that completes whole primary education system in terms of providing the textbooks for free. “A total of 280,000 schoolchildren across Albania will benefit the textbooks for free and the decision includes not only primary education pupils, but also special categories in the secondary and higher education, including children from social categories and students with special needs,” the Education Minister said.