site.btaEducation Minister Pays Visit to Albania, Meets with Albanian Counterpart

The Albanian state supports students from the Bulgarian national minority in the country who want to learn Bulgarian, and there are discussions on expanding Bulgarian language education, it became clear at a meeting between the Education and Science Minister Galin Tzokov and his Albanian counterpart Evis Kushi in Tirana, the press centre of Tzokov's Ministry reported Sunday. Tzokov is on a visit to Albania.

Albania has policy to support minorities - starting from primary education and all the way up to the next levels, Kushi said.

The meeting between the two officials was the last for Kushi as minister because from next week she will take up a leadership position in Albania's ruling party. "It is a great pleasure for me that I am ending my work as a minister by meeting a minister of a very friendly country with which we have very good relations in the field of education," she pointed out. 

Tzokov also noted that Bulgaria as an EU member state has always supported Albania on its path towards European integration. "The most direct way for good relations between the countries is and support is through education and science," he highlighted. 

Tzokov pointed out that the Bulgarian communities in Albania have their own Sunday schools where the Bulgarian language is taught. However, their activities need to be expanded and the teaching of Bulgarian needs to have a greater scope. There is an idea that teachers who are certified to teach in schools in Albania should receive additional qualification so that they can also teach Bulgarian language classes. The Bulgarian Education Ministry is already in contact with Bulgarian universities that can give such training to teachers.

Kushi said that the Albanian side is ready to cooperate for the expansion of Bulgarian language education. She said the state provides minority students with free books and publishes textbooks in their languages. "With supportive policies, we want them to feel good and learn their language," she said.

The two ministers also discussed deepening cooperation between Bulgaria and Albania in the field of higher education. One of the topics discussed was holding a meeting between the management of higher education institutions from both countries. Tzokov explained that he had made a commitment to the rectors of the largest state universities in Albania to help make it happen. 

Cushi stressed that the main priority for higher education in Albania is to make it international. Therefore, the state encourages universities to participate in more international initiatives such as student and faculty exchanges. She also briefed Tzokov on the changes in the country's policy on teacher qualifications and remuneration, the Education Ministry said.