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Albanian education dates back to the 17th century. The first Albanian school opened in Korca in 1887.The first Albanian school in Kosova opened in Prizren in 1889.The first Albanian school for girls opened in Korce in 1891.The first school, training teachers (pedagogical high school) opened in Bucharest, Romania in 1892, while in Albania a school of this kind, "Normalja", opened in Elbansan district in December 1909, according to the decision of the National Congress of Education, held on 02/09/1909."Normalja" of Elbasan opened and closed 5 times since the Congress of Lushnja, 1920, due to repression by young Turk occupiers.The first masters of this school were Luigj Gurakuqi, Aleksander Xhuvani, Sali Ceka and its first professors included Sotir Peci, Kostaq Cipo, Simon Shuteriqi, Kahreman Ylli, Qamil Guranjaku and others.Some 63 of the students of this school laid down their lives for the liberation of their homeland during the World War II.Until 1939 only 643 primary schools could be counted. They were attended only by 1/4 of the children of this age.
Primer of Albanian Language
The first primer of the Albanian language, that of 1844, titled "Short and useful Albanian Evetar (primer)" was prepared by a distinguished figure of the Albanian Renaissance, Naum Veqilharxhi.The preparation and realisation of this primer ranked Albania among the civilized countries, showing that this small country has its people with their characteristics, language and customs, and with a treasure inherited from generations.This first educational - cultural programme was reedited in 1845, titled "New abanian Evetar (primer) for initiate boys", with 50 pages and some reading passages.Veqilharxhi's work was carried on by Kostandin Kristoforidhi, another distinguished figure of the National Renaissance, who published a primer in Geg and Tosk dialects and taught Albanian to many compatriots during his trips over Albania.The new era of school books and preparation of a national school was prepared by the renowned figures such as J.Vreto, S.Frashri, P. Vasa, K. Hoxhi, who, during the period of the Albanian League of Prizren, 1879, published the "Primer of Albanian language".Other distinguished figures, in Albania and abroad, continued to work devotedly for the realisation of the primer. They were Luigj Gurakuqi (1905), Parashqevi Qirjazi (1906), Nikolla Lako (1906), Simon Shuteriqi (1911) and others, to be followed by A. Xhuvani, Th. Papapano, M. Logoreci, J.Minga, creating in this way a good tradition.The Albanian primer was scientifically worked out after 1944.The recent years primers have been worked out based on the achievements of linguistics and experience gained at the Albanian school. They contain illustrations adapted to psychological peculiarities of the age and linguistic requirements of the children.
Pre-university education
Currently there are over 4540 pre-university education institutions, of which 2340 are indergartens, 1815 primary schools and eight-year schools and around 530 general and professional high schools. Some 33 new eight-year schools have been built this year alone and 140 existing buildings have been reconstructed. Also, a new high school has been built and 65 others reconstructed.The number of the pupils in the pre-university education totals 737 400. Pre-university system is composed of over 2200 kindergartens, of which 1950 are located in villages. They are attended by 82 000 children and nearly 4 100 nurses work there.The compulsory education includes 18 515 secondary schools of which 1525 are located in villages. Nearly 560 000 pupils attend these schools and about 29 500 teachers work there, of whom 19 500 in villages.
Professional education
The professional school opened for the first time in 1921 - the technical school of Tirana. The Trade school opened in 1924 and technical school of Golem a year later. Three years later such schools opened also in Gjirokaster and Berat wheretechnicians and workers were trained by Albanian and foreing teachers.During '45 - '90 the number of professional schools was brought to 380, but many of them opened without scientific criteria and only served for propaganda purposes, to show their mass character.Nearly 40 professional schools, of the two levels, three and five years, are currently operating in 22 districts of the country. They have different profiles: agricultural, mechanical, electrical, technological, economic, construction, textile-confections, on fuel-gas sectors, forests, veterinary and geology - mines.
Academy of Sciences
The Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Albania was founded in 1972, joining some of the 25 scientific-research institutions existing at that time.The first meeting of the Assembly was held on January 25,1973, a date which also marks the formal day of the foundation of the Academy. The Academy numbers 12 institutions and scientific research centers, playing an irreplaceable role in social, economic and technical progress of the country. They are: the Institute of Information Science and Applied Mathematics, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Institute of Biologic Researches, Institute of Seismology, Institute of hydro- metereology, Center of Hydraulic Researches, Center of Geographic Studies, Institute of Language and Literature, Institute of History, Institute of Archaeology, Institute of Folk Culture and the Center on Art Studies.Mentioned among the Albanian distinguished scientists, included in the Great European Humanitarian Movement, are Leonik Tomeu, Marin Becikemi, Gjon Gazuli, Marin Barleti to continue further with the renowned Renaissance writers : Kostandin Kristoforidhi, brothers Abdyl, Sami and Naim Frashri, the founder and the first rector of the University of Turkey, Hasan Tahsini and many others.Distinguished later are Albanian Scientists Aleksander Xhuvani, Refat Frashri, Bilal Golemi and others. The first chairman of the Academy of Sciences was Prof. Aleks Buda, (historian) while among the academicians were Prof.Eqerem Cabej, Kole Popa, Petrit Radovicka, Androkli Kostallari, Stefanaq Pollo, Kole Paparisto, Odhise Paskali, Sotir Kuneshka, Fejzi Hoxha, Zija Kellici, Petrit Gale, and Zef Kakariqi. Prof. Ylli Popa (doctor) is the current chairman of the Academy of Sciences. The Senate of the Academy consists of 39 members, distinguished figures in different scientific fields.Elected in the senate were Academicians Josif Adhami, Dritero Agolli, Selaudin Bekteshi, Hamit Beqja, Teki Bicoku, Tish Daija, Besim Daja, Bedri Dedja, Shaban Demiraj, Mahir Domi,BardhylGolemi, Andromaqi Gjergji, Skender Gjinushi, Farudin Hoxha, Ismail Kadare, Hajredin Kumbaro, Hysen Lacej, Hekuran Mara, Luan Omari, Mentor Permeti, Petraq Pilika, Ylli Popa, Bajram Preza, Kristaq Prifti, Eduard Sulstarova, DhimiterShuteriqi, Teki Tartari, Alfred Uci and Zija Xholi. The most distinguished scientific studies and researches carried out over the last years by academicians and other scientific workers are "History of Albania" in 4 volumes, editions of documents on cultural heritage of the Albanian people, of new archaelogic discoveries, folk corpora, and ethnographic atlas, dictionary of the contemporary Albanian language, phonetics and grammar of the contemporary Albanian language, spelling dictionary, etymological studies, dialectal atlas, history of Albanian literature, Albanian encyclopedic dictionary and others.In the field of natural and technical sciences several studies and researches have been carried out on hydro-energy, gas and oil resources, usage of nuclear radiation, application of genetic methods, mathematics and information science methods, evaluation of resources and natural assets, in parallel with several studies on climate, seismology, Albanian flora and fauna and others, synthesized in the Geographic atlas of the Republic of Albania which is under preparation.For the first time this year, the Academy of Sciences has its own status which guarantees its depoliticized functioning only on scientific and human criteria and principles, in implementation of the Constitution.
Private education
Private education, after the liberation of Albania, dates back to 1992, with the opening of the first private schools "The Medersas". The "pioneer" of this kind of education is Turkish college "Mehmet Akif" of private company "Gjylistan". This system was legalized with the approval by Parliament of law 7952, on 21,06,1995 "On secondary school education" with the provision on approving and implementing private schools occupying a special place. Some 70 private educational institutions such as kindergartens, eight-year and high schools, religious and laic are currently functioning in 14 districts of Albania. Around 22 private educational institutions, kindergartens, schools as well as medersas have been opened during the last 9 years in Tirana, alone. During the last academic year '98 -'99 nearly 5 400 children have attended private schools and some 450 nurses and teachers have been employed in these institutions, a number which luctuates according to the pupils' influx. "The green light" is also given to private higher schools, based on the law 8387, dated 30,07,1998 "On Higher Education in the Republic of Albania".Recently, high state authorities have made efforts, in cooperation with the Holy See of the Vatican, to open a catholic university as well as an Italian one.
After the '90-ies many Western countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Holland and various foundations as Soros, "Harry Fultz", San Egidio, GTZ, Swisscontact, Kulturkontakt and others have provided aid to reconstruct the education system and professional formation in Albania.
Higher Education
Higher education in Albania dates back to 1946, with the two year institute of Tirana. Some 11 universities and higher schools are currently operating throughout Albania.There are eight universities, of which three are located in Tirana. Also operating in this city are the Academy of Fine Arts, Institute of Physical Culture and the Higher School of Infirmary. The number of the students for the academic year '99-2000 in the whole country totals 20 000, or 1000 students more than in the last year.This year, special attention has been paid to new teaching programmes aiming at bringing our universities closer to the Western ones. Also first steps have been made in postuniversity education, setting up the centers of education at distance, which at present operate only at the Polytechnic University and the University of Tirana.The university of Shkoder has functioned as an institute since 1957 and now the city of Shkodra has six universities with 12 various branches attended by 2000 students full time and nearly 3000 part time. In these universities lessons are taught by some 140 lecturers, 80% of whom have been recently qualified abroad and 50 % have earned scientific degrees. Universities have been set up in the last years also in Elbasan, Korce, Gjirokaster and Vlore.There are also two Military Academies in Albania: The Scanderbeg Academy and the Public Order Academy. During the academic year 1999-2000 the Scanderbeg Academy, for armed infantry, air and maritime forces, was attended by 400 students, or twice as much than in the passed year. This academy applies teaching programmes similar to those of German armed forces.The Academy of Public Order has been set up with the aid of the MAPE forces. It trains officers for the protection of public order. |
