Skopje, 21 March 2025 (MIA) - Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska said Friday that the Ministry, in cooperation with UNICEF, professors from the Institute of Psychology within University Ss.Cyril and Methodius-Skopje, the Chamber of Psychologists of Macedonia and the Red Cross, have ensured broader psychological support for all pupils across the country.

The support will be increasingly present in the municipalities mostly affected by the Kochani nightclub fire, where young people have lost their brothers, sisters, friends and fellow pupils.

A network of 100 school psychologists from Skopje and other cities has been set up. They are focused on Kochani, Vinica, Shtip, Cheshinovo-Obleshevo and the surrounding areas, as support to their colleagues in schools, working with pupils, parents, teachers and citizens in general.

The Ministry website also includes a list of phone numbers of 40 psychologists who are available for counselling. The list also includes phone numbers for the 24/7 psychological support provided by the Red Cross.

"We know that the number of professionals who want to provide help in this situation is big. I encourage them to meet the needs of the pupils, the parents and the teachers. They can turn to the Ministry and the Chamber of Psychologists, where they will receive specific guidelines where they are most needed. The chamber is set to hold special training sessions for activities during emergencies. We will do everything we can in the interest of the young people and citizens in general," said Minister Janevska.

She added that the professionals are focused on schools attended by victims but also ones including their close ones.

MIA file photo