The Chairman of the Freedom Party, Ilir Meta, has revealed today at the Round Table for Education with experts in the field, the seven proposals of the party he leads to get education out of the state it has ended up in, with a lack of quality in every direction and completely left out of the attention of to the government.
“In order to realize all these needs, – said Meta in his speech, – I am also presenting 7 concrete and fully feasible proposals, drawn up by a group of experts, pedagogues and respected teachers, with the aim of bringing it back inside a short time education on the tracks of knowledge:
1. The Assembly should adopt as soon as possible a law on the floor level of investment in education and scientific research at the level of 5% of GDP. Currently, the 2024 budget finances 2.29% of GDP, the lowest in the region and insufficient to address the many education problems that have been increasing. With the right budget, we can bring Albanian education out of the precipice where it has fallen.
2. The salary level of teachers in the salary pyramid should be approved by law with a qualified majority.
A simple majority is not enough for such important decisions that directly affect the future of education and therefore the country.
3. The Assembly should establish a floor level for the financing of innovation. Currently, innovation in Albania is financed to the extent of 0.05% of GDP, while the European Union average is 2.2%. The increase in funding is the first concrete step in this direction, where until now only empty propaganda has acted.
4. The main education laws to be approved by qualified majority in the Parliament. Education strategies, programs, curricula, and educational policies must also be approved by a qualified majority. For such vital decisions for the country, everyone’s agreement is necessary.
5. Teaching and science should be considered priority branches. Consequently, they should be addressed with initiatives and practices that promote student motivation. Due to the abandonment of these branches today, we risk being left without teachers in a few years.
6. Priority investments in information technology branches. This sector, which has become a challenge of the time, requires the preparation of skilled professionals.
7. Vocational Education must necessarily be dependent on the Ministry of Education. Regarding the necessity of its reform, in-depth market studies are needed on the demand and the need that the country has today. New strategies must be drawn up that harmonize the demands of an ever-evolving market with the professionals who prepare these schools. Priority should be given to branches such as: electroauto, mechanic, electrician, technology equipment technician, tourism and services. Currently, vocational schools do not prepare young people capable of entering the labor market directly after studies.”
