Skopje, 21 January 2024 (MIA) – Pupils in elementary and secondary schools will return to classes on Monday in the second semester of the 2023/2024 school year as the winter break ends. In addition to the winter break, for the first time, pupils will have a week-long spring break from April 29 to May 6, 2024.

Also, at the request of the Union of High School Students, the Ministry of Education and Science has decided that school year 2023/2024 in secondary schools ends on June 10, instead of June 17 as defined in the instruction calendar. June 17 remains as the end date for elementary school pupils.

The Ministry of Education and Science is yet to decide on the compensation of the two non-working Wednesdays due to the presidential and parliamentary elections (April 24 and May 8).

"The Law on Elementary Education prescribes an exact number of working days, whereas the Law on Secondary Education does not include this provision. The Union of High School Students urged for the end of the school year on June 10 due to the administrative procedures for university enrollment and we acted on this request," Minister of Education and Science Jeton Shaqiri told reporters. 

Another novelty is the new electronic student record, developed with EU support and IPA funds. It is currently being tested and trainings are conducted in 40 schools as a pilot-project until its functionality is confirmed.

During the winter break, the Government at the proposal of the Education Ministry adopted two draft laws - on secondary education and on secondary vocational education and training, which should replace the current ones dating 1995 and 2007.

The draft laws have been forwarded to the Parliament and are expected to be adopted by the current parliamentary composition. Minister Shaqiri called on the MPs to approve the new laws, because the current ones do not correspond to reality, he noted. 

In its latest report on the country's progress, the European Commission noted in terms of the area of education that the adoption of key legislation was further delayed. According to the EC, North Macedonia should in particular finalise and adopt the Law on secondary education and the Law on vocational education and training, set up and operationalise the regional VET centres, and adopt the Law for adult education. 

Photo: MIA archive