Skopje, 24 February 2025 (MIA) - The Ministry of Education and Science has awarded grants worth Mden 2.4 million in total to 130 primary and secondary schools in support of activities set to promote multiculturalism, interethnic integration and tolerance.

At a press conference Monday, Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska said the grants support activities that bring together students from different ethnic, cultural and religious communities, and direct them towards mutual respect, understanding, cooperation and the creation of a harmonious learning environment.

“This assistance is in fact a legal obligation and a part of the Ministry’s educational policies and strategies aimed at ensuring equal access to quality education for all students. Young people should know that differences on any basis are not barriers, but are instead a reason to get closer, develop empathy and build a strong society. This is the only path they should go down on and this is my firm message to them,” Janevska said. 

The Minister noted that the amount of Mden 30.000 per grant is insufficient and will triple for the next school year to almost Mden 90.000.  

“We have regulated this with the amendments to the Law on Primary Education, and it will also be regulated with the Law on Secondary Education which is already in parliamentary procedure, and I expect will be adopted very soon. This isn’t too much either, but that’s how much the country can provide at this moment. In the future, whenever it is possible, more funds will always be allocated for full integration of young people,” the Minister added.

Photo: MIA