Skopje, 23 September 2021 (MIA) – Minister of Education and Science Mila Carovska met on Thursday with headmasters of elementary and high schools in Bitola. Interlocutors discussed at the meeting, which was also attended by Bitola mayor Natasha Petrovska, conducting in-person classes amid a pandemic, primary education reforms, as well as promoting high school instruction. Carovska underlined at the meeting, the Education Ministry said in a press release, that the new school year launched with in-person classes and implementation of completely new curriculums in the first and fourth grade. “So far, the whole process is going according to plan thanks to you, headmasters and members of the local self-government, who were committed to ensuring that schools are ready for a successful school year. I’d like to thank teachers who underwent the necessary trainings and are adjusting to the new concept. Moreover, we’re monitoring the COVID-19 situation in schools, which is currently stable, and I’m sure that if we all abide by measures, schools will remain safe and open for as long as possible,” Carovska noted. Headmasters underlined at the meeting that they resolve issues quickly and responsibly, adding that teachers and students have the appropriate conditions and resources. They stressed that stakeholders are abiding by plans and protocols, resulting in a small number of new infections among teachers and students in Bitola. According to the latest report of the Commission for Infectious Diseases, the COVID-19 situation in schools across the country is stable. Stakeholders are monitoring the situation daily and according to the Main Coordination HQ there’s no need to change the learning model as internal virus transmission hasn’t been registered in schools. “Interlocutors concluded at the meeting that the education system is prepared to switch to back up scenarios, if the need arises. Headmasters reiterated that they have all the necessary resources for quick transition to online learning,” the press release read. According to the Ministry’s latest data, new cases among students on a daily basis stand between 0.01%-0.03% of the total of 240,000 students nationwide. Over 72% of teachers have been vaccinated, which is double the national average.