The educational situation in Albania seems at best chaotic and disproportionate. Some places like the central part of Albania seem to have better education and employment opportunities, some others which are more peripheral and distant seem to be lacking such possibilities. The recent hunger strike of students of the Law branch of the University of Vlor묠”Ismail Qemali” brought anew to the attention of the media the problem of a two-speed system which is current in the whole sectors of Albanian development (one of the students has been hospitalized Thursday reports NOA agency). Though numerous public and private universities have made themselves abundant in different parts of the country, (still less numerous than those concentrated in the central part of Albania), the system seems to lack overall coordination and not to bear equal recognition and opportunities. “It is not fair that four years of sacrifices made by our parents and us in order to obtain a university degree be converted in a diploma stipulating that “we know the law”. The students of the University of Tirana who have had the same educational program are recognized as “Lawyers” in their diplomas”, quotes Koha Jon롴he protesting graduates of Vlor련29.09.2009).
The Ministry of Education underlines that the students of the University of Vlor롨ave same superior-qualifying as well as employment opportunities, but no solution has yet been offered on the qualification which is recognized by the diploma. The Ministry offers the example of students from the University of Vlor롷ho have had a path free of hurdles in seeking opportunities and have run for superior qualification. But the situation would be different if they were to seek opportunities abroad. The title of the diploma does not recognize any qualification at all.
In this respect, the whole educational system in Albania offers today little international recognition opportunities.
Out of the eyes, out of the mind
But recognition of qualifications offered by state-recognized operators is not the only problem. The quality of teaching and learning-opportunities is not the same everywhere. The expression “out of the eyes, out of the mind” seems to describe the oblivion into which some remote areas are left, especially in early-years schooling, which offers no possibilities of going somewhere central like in the case of university studies.
“There should not be two standards for pupils in rural areas and for those in urban zones. Children are the same in the rural zones and in the urban zones and they require equal education. ŠA big gap is seen between the two as concerns for example foreign languages and computer literacy. Those living in the villages are almost as persecuted and doomed to stay aloof of these two educational elements. They have to wait until they migrate, to learn a bunchful of Italian or Greek words and expressions. Forget about the computer”, writes Elda Tartari, prolific writer on the matters of eduaction. Computer skills and foreign languages are today primary requests in the new economic era that has spring after large generalization of the computers and their worldwide connection.
“It is more costly to the Albanian state not to instruct these pupils in foreign language and computer skills than to enroll (send) or to qualify teachers to instruct them in these matters”, writes Elda Tartari, who suggests that contracts be made with teachers to go over a period of years even in the remote parts of the country.
In many cases schooling has offered more a social role in nursing the children off the street, off the temptations of exodus and dulling routine, than an educational role.
Education and EU admission
Elda Tartari, a frequent writer on education themes, emphasizes among other things that education is one of the points where standards between Albania and the European Union (EU) should meet. “Education is no more a luxury. It is a necessity. It is only through education that the country will develop, the economy will recover and we will prepare for full integration in the European Union. On the contrary, with double standards, Ermal and Jona, living in the heart of Tirana will enter into the European Union, while Martin in the North and Laura in the South will have yet a long way to go Ţ, writes Tartari (Koha Jon묠11.09.2009).
As Albania is making way towards the European Union (EU), the quality of education, the reach of the professional skills covered by the qualifications as well as the spread of education to the whole society are paramount requests to make possible a dream of integration.
Albania has adopted the Chart of Bologna in its educational system, but is not making sufficient progress in improving the quality of the system.
Under the grasp of politics
Though Albania has walked away from the hyper-politicized educational system, since the beginning of the nineties, the grasp of politics on education has brought civil criticism. The recent case of a history textbook for high school students, reported in the former Tirana Times issue, has raised protests (Koha Jon묠29.09.2009). The textbook is reported to contain politicized views on the Second World War and on the last two decades, which have brought the democratization of the country. The transition years that have run since the beginning of the nineties and the fall of communism to date, are suspected to have been described in a partial way favorable the party in power (Partia Demokratike, Democratic Party), to have omitted, interpreted or not explained major events and are accused of resembling electoral-campaign-spirited affirmations.
Another effort that the educational system in Albania will have to produce is that of staying off from the influence of politics.
Poor reflection of the Albanian thought
Impoverished in diversity after the advent of Communism in Albania, the Albanian scientific thought has not yet found its merited place in the Albanian educational system. The education-specialized newspaper M촵esi (21.01.2009) informs of a project for the enrichment of school libraries with books reflecting the cream of the Albanian thought. The project which was ideated two years ago, bears a well-defined purpose: to propagate and make known the Albanian thought in the albanological and historical fields and then in philosophy, psychology and sociology, as well as the part of the Albanian scientific thought that was prohibited during the reign of communism.
But Ndri読 Kulla, director of PLEJAD editions, initiator and supporter of the project, and interested part as editor, asserts that brooms and mops have been bought instead of books. “Editing houses should feel the support and care of the state Šotherwise, lack of policy-making desire and the perverse and clientelistic application of policies in some cases, will damage severely first of all the quality of Albanian teaching, the future of the education and the upbringing of our children as regards our culture, public, civil and democratic spirit and then makes damage to the whole body of publishers and myself”, says Kulla, (M촵esi, 21.01.2009).
Merxhani, Valentini, Frash쳩, Zavalani, Koca, Maloki ō
Albanian thinkers like Branko Merxhani, Zef Valentini, Mithat Frash쳩, Mehdi Frash쳩, Tajar Zavalani, Vangjel Koca, Krist Maloki and a whole constellation of authors that have laid the foundations of our philosophic interpretation are absent from the majority of school libraries, where one can find many fairy tales and riddles at their place, highlights Kulla.
“The Albanians have not yet published their classics of philosophy, psychology, sociology” reminds Kulla. “For this support of the state is required as well as well-defined and applied orienting and financing policies” estimates the editor who also quotes the Prime Minister of the country Sali Berisha: “the book of the Albanian thought is exotic in school libraries”.
Though a project exists, it has not given the expected effect. Selection of books with no criteria, anarchy (in selection and in many local education directories) and bureaucratic barriers are reported. Selection of books seems to have been confined to schools and teachers. Misinterpretation of the ordinance “On auxiliary books for schools” (P철librin ndihm쳠t롳hkollave), as well as “a verifiable dose of corruption” quoted among other problems.
Lack of a detailed explicative guide, lack and malfunction of inspections and controls and a personalization of the reform by directors as well as a lack of information about the project in the regional education directories is another set of problems.
But above all is the need of awareness-raising of teachers and pupils, because not only in the education sector, but throughout the Albanian civil society very few know this literature. Needless to say, these authors were forbidden by the communist regime. “Priority seems to have been given so far to books for children, books that form the esthetic and cultural character of the pupils, instead of books that form the thought, the ethics and essential relations to oneself, our history and our society, state, democracy and civil society” estimates Kulla.
