The first day of school in Albania, 100 thousand students fewer on school desks

 The first day of the school in Albania

 While the holidays ended, the new school year begins also in Albania. There are 100,000 fewer students than the last year. According to data from the Ministry of Education, 386,000 students have been enrolled in pre-university education, compared to 480,000 in 2018-2019.

Of these, the majority - 272,000 - are part of the lower cycle, otherwise known as the 9-year compulsory basic system, while 90,000 are enrolled in superior educational institutions. For the first time, 24,000 students will go up to the school desk, attending the first grade.

Here too, the figures reported by the Education Department speak of 8,000 fewer students. The minor births in recent years and emigration are seen as the two main reasons for the decline in the number of students attending school.

This year the Albanian Minister Besa Shahini chose to offer her best wishes while meeting directly the students.

For basic education, the lessons will end in June 12; a week earlier for the higher education institutions.

While the long-awaited winter break will last two weeks, from December 21st to January 5th 2020.