Skopje, 24 September 2025 (MIA) - “Dimitar Pop Georgiev – Berovski” elementary school in Skopje’s Hrom neighborhood gets new sports hall. Today’s inspection of the construction works was attended by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska, and Mayor of Gjorche Petrov municipality, Aleksandar Stojkoski.

“I first want to congratulate the mayor for transforming this building so quickly; starting today, students will be able to use it. I hope to see more facilities like this, where our children can play sports, because sport builds both body and spirit. Learning to build your spirit in a noble, chivalrous way will guide you throughout your life. Life is full of challenges and it is important to overcome them honorably, not take shameful paths that could negatively shape you as a person,” Mickoski said.

He stressed that sports facilities like this are highly significant, have full support today, and will continue to receive it in the future.

“I want to congratulate the Ministry of Education for its recent work. Such synergy is vital, particularly in education, as the municipality and the Ministry need to work together to address the needs of our children. I also wish to thank the MPs from this region, the councilors, and the Gjorche Petrov administration, who diligently follow the mayor’s ambitious agenda. Public opinion research confirms this. Recently, a survey conducted in Gjorche Petrov showed that residents clearly recognize and support the mayor’s agenda. I am confident that in his next four-year term, he will achieve as much as in his first term, inspiring citizens and improving living conditions,” PM Mickoski noted.

He noted that the current mayor tends to be humble and avoids mentioning the condition of the Municipality when he first took office.

“From a significant deficit and deep negative balance, he managed to bring it back from the brink of bankruptcy, allowing today for development projects like this. As a government, we have financed projects in Gjorche Petrov municipality in both the first and second calls, approximately €6–7 million. This support will continue moving forward,” he stated.

Education Minister Janevska told reporters that Gjorche Petrov municipality continues to be an investment priority for the Government and the Ministry of Education and Science. Plans have been made to enable single-shift teaching in other schools in the municipality.

“In cooperation with the local authorities, namely the municipality, we will continue to invest in other facilities as the municipality determines there is a need, but for projects under the Ministry’s jurisdiction,” Janevska said.

The mayor, Aleksandar Stojkoski, stated that residents of Hrom have been awaiting this project for over a decade.

“It’s a large project and a great joy for this part of Gjorche Petrov,” he said.

He said that the majority of the work is finished, and only the sewer and water connections need to be completed, with the necessary documentation already submitted.

“The project, including equipment, has a total value of approximately Mden 21.5 million, fully secured from the budget of Gjorche Petrov municipality. The ‘New Sports Hall for Hrom’ project is only one of several major projects that will be realized in this part of the municipality. Soon, we will start expanding this elementary school with eight additional classrooms to enable single-shift teaching for the children,” Stojkoski said.

He added that more projects are planned and that construction of new facilities will continue.

Photo: MIA

Video: Government