Skopje, 17 April 2026 (MIA) — Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska said Friday that government policies were beginning to reverse the country’s emigration trend, noting that a small but growing number of nationals were coming back home.

Speaking to the press after a foundation-stone laying ceremony for new classrooms for Strasho Pindzhur Elementary in Skopje's Gjorche Petrov municipality, Janevska was asked to comment on recent data showing a decline in school enrollment. 

She said the current government was working to keep people from leaving, unlike the previous government. She mentioned past protests where activists lined up empty shoes in front of government buildings to symbolize the people who left the country.

"Those who were lining up shoes to bring them back, they did nothing. But we, as you can see in the statistics, already have an influx of emigrants," Janevska said. 

"It is not large, but people have started to return to Macedonia. This is a result of the policies implemented by this government," she said.

The education minister highlighted the elementary school expansion as part of a broader effort to transition schools to a single-shift school day. Currently, many schools run morning and afternoon sessions to accommodate all students.

The government plans to expand school capacities in other municipalities, including Aerodrom and Chair, to meet local demand. Janevska said the transition would take time but the goal was to create an environment where young people choose to stay.

"We want them to study in this country, get a job in this labor market, instead of looking for salvation somewhere abroad," she said. mr/

Фото: МИА