SONK calls on Gov’t and ZELS to find solution in overcoming energy crisis in schools
Skopje, 22 September 2022 (MIA) – The Independent Trade Union for Education, Science and Culture (SONK) posted Thursday on Facebook that the Government and the Association of Local Self-Government Units (ZELS) should jointly find an acceptable solution to overcome or mitigate the energy crisis in schools.
“Distance learning is not an acceptable option for those most affected: students, parents and teachers,” SONK adds.
Government spokesperson Dushko Arsovski said on Wednesday that in-person learning is in the interest of the students, and there are no changes in the way of its implementation. The Government, he added, is in communication with all stakeholders through the Ministry of Education and Science in order to deal with the challenges of the energy crisis.
In response to a reporter’s question about a request by some municipalities to extend the school winter break in order to save electricity and firewood, and how justified are requests that part of the costs and subsidies be covered by the Government, Arsovski said it has not been discussed at Tuesday’s government session.
“This issue was not discussed at the last session of the Government. The Government remains committed to overcoming the challenges caused by the energy crisis and is in communication with all stakeholders through the Ministry of Education and Science,” said Arsovski, adding that there are no changes in the way of implementing in-person instruction in elementary schools and high schools.
Organization in terms of costs for heating the schools, the spokesperson added, is within the competences of the municipalities, i.e. the local self-government, and the Ministry of Education and Science pays subsidies for that to the municipalities. Therefore, Arsovski stressed, it is important to say that they are responsible and in-person classes are in the interest of the students.
On Tuesday, mayors in the Polog region issued a request to the Ministry of Education and Science that there be longer school breaks or online classes for students, so that schools don’t bear high costs for heating classrooms and facilities. This was discussed at a session of the Council for the Development of the Polog Planning Region, and the idea comes from the mayor of Gostivar, Arben Taravari, who mentioned the possibility in a media statement a few weeks ago.
“Since electricity bills are higher than last year, we decided to put forward as an idea to have the school winter break last for two months - December and January or January and February, so that children then have a shorter summer break and the school year lasts until June 30, and the next school year starts on August 15. Another option is to have online classes in December, January and February. We are more or less digitalized, we have some good experience during the pandemic and why not introduce online classes again now, in order to save electricity. We will need support from the Ministry and ZELS, and we already have support from other mayors,” Taravari said.
