Education in modern Albania is the culmination of successful economic growth and political reform. However, lingering issues such as geographical disparities and low wages for teachers highlight the continuous need to push for systemic improvement. Seeking solutions to these challenges, various sectors of the Albanian government have partnered with international organizations including UNICEF. They are currently working to ensure higher quality and more accessible education in the near future.
Rural vs. Urban
Geographical inequalities continue to reinforce gaps in education levels and attempted reform. While urban areas benefit from a wealth of public services and industries, rural regions overwhelmingly lack basic infrastructure, employment opportunities and overall economic support that are needed to sustain schools and educational programs. In the peripheral rural areas of Albania, many schools do not have access to adequate equipment, furniture, technology, or facilities directly related to the quality of learning, which has consistently produced low enrollment rates and dwindling numbers of graduates. Only 47% of computers have an internet connection in rural Albania, which is a sharp contrast to 70% in North Macedonia and 94% on average in countries such as the United States and Japan.
The poor quality of roads and transportation typical of remote rural areas also discourage students from attending school, counteracting long-standing efforts to consolidate schools in the interest of providing better learning opportunities. However, many students in rural Albania are still dependent on these consolidated schools, called collective classes, to support their education. This has become an issue for their parents, many of whom cannot afford to take measures to transfer their children to other schools as collective classes become increasingly unavailable following the Ministry of Education’s campaign to close approximately 350 of them due to poor performance.
On average, students from urban areas attain two more years of schooling than those in rural areas and demonstrate higher performance in the state matura exam in all categories, including the Albanian language and mathematics.
Low Teacher Salaries
Teachers in Albania currently earn a lower average salary than other professions. In 2023, the average gross salary of a teacher was about 71,000 lek ($766), which is around 14% lower than the average salary in the public sector. This issue has worsened considerably, with the salary gap between teachers and the public sector average growing from 11% in 2022.
The lack of financial motivation has translated to lower quality education. Despite improvement in student-to-teacher ratios from 1990 to 2023, the academic achievements of Albanian students in the international PISA test of 2022 were recorded as having been the lowest in two decades. Low wages in education have resulted in hundreds of teacher vacancies and have obstructed recruitment efforts, leaving students to depend on frequent changes to curricula in preparing for state exams.
In recent years, teachers who have continued to work despite these conditions have begun to publicly express their discontent. On May 1, 2024, several employee unions engaged in peaceful protests outside the Ministry of Education building to call for several changes to the existing education system, including better teacher salaries, public education funding, and compensation covering transportation costs. Protests and strikes are expected to continue in 2024 without substantial reform by the state.
Seeking Solutions: UNICEF
Today, the Albanian government continues to attempt to reduce challenges to the current state of education, notably with the help of organizations such as UNICEF. On June 27, 2024, UNICEF partnered with the Ministry of Education, central and local government, and civil society to create a more equitable and accessible education system, focusing on preventing school drop-outs by targeting low-performing and at-risk children. By establishing relationships on a national and local scale, UNICEF has been able to bridge government representatives and communities together to better address education infrastructure decision-making. In 2023, a project between USAID, UNICEF and the Ministry of Education and Sports allowed students from various schools to meet directly with mayors from the Korça, Dibra, Roskovec, Elbasan and Gjirokastra municipalities to discuss solutions to pressing school infrastructure issues and educational needs. These conversations have been crucial in pushing for ongoing cooperation with stakeholders to improve the lack of necessary tools and resources for students across the nation.
Conclusion
Although Albania has made strides in education reform, disparities still persist among rural communities and teachers.
However, with the continued help of international institutions such as UNICEF, education in Albania has great potential to undergo impactful positive change, which will ultimately strengthen Albania’s economy and social welfare.
– Morgan Leahy, Moon Jung Kim
Photo: Flickr
Updated: July 10, 2024
Education in Albania
Rural vs. Urban
Geographical inequalities continue to reinforce gaps in education levels and attempted reform. While urban areas benefit from a wealth of public services and industries, rural regions overwhelmingly lack basic infrastructure, employment opportunities and overall economic support that are needed to sustain schools and educational programs. In the peripheral rural areas of Albania, many schools do not have access to adequate equipment, furniture, technology, or facilities directly related to the quality of learning, which has consistently produced low enrollment rates and dwindling numbers of graduates. Only 47% of computers have an internet connection in rural Albania, which is a sharp contrast to 70% in North Macedonia and 94% on average in countries such as the United States and Japan.
The poor quality of roads and transportation typical of remote rural areas also discourage students from attending school, counteracting long-standing efforts to consolidate schools in the interest of providing better learning opportunities. However, many students in rural Albania are still dependent on these consolidated schools, called collective classes, to support their education. This has become an issue for their parents, many of whom cannot afford to take measures to transfer their children to other schools as collective classes become increasingly unavailable following the Ministry of Education’s campaign to close approximately 350 of them due to poor performance.
On average, students from urban areas attain two more years of schooling than those in rural areas and demonstrate higher performance in the state matura exam in all categories, including the Albanian language and mathematics.
Low Teacher Salaries
Teachers in Albania currently earn a lower average salary than other professions. In 2023, the average gross salary of a teacher was about 71,000 lek ($766), which is around 14% lower than the average salary in the public sector. This issue has worsened considerably, with the salary gap between teachers and the public sector average growing from 11% in 2022.
The lack of financial motivation has translated to lower quality education. Despite improvement in student-to-teacher ratios from 1990 to 2023, the academic achievements of Albanian students in the international PISA test of 2022 were recorded as having been the lowest in two decades. Low wages in education have resulted in hundreds of teacher vacancies and have obstructed recruitment efforts, leaving students to depend on frequent changes to curricula in preparing for state exams.
In recent years, teachers who have continued to work despite these conditions have begun to publicly express their discontent. On May 1, 2024, several employee unions engaged in peaceful protests outside the Ministry of Education building to call for several changes to the existing education system, including better teacher salaries, public education funding, and compensation covering transportation costs. Protests and strikes are expected to continue in 2024 without substantial reform by the state.
Seeking Solutions: UNICEF
Today, the Albanian government continues to attempt to reduce challenges to the current state of education, notably with the help of organizations such as UNICEF. On June 27, 2024, UNICEF partnered with the Ministry of Education, central and local government, and civil society to create a more equitable and accessible education system, focusing on preventing school drop-outs by targeting low-performing and at-risk children. By establishing relationships on a national and local scale, UNICEF has been able to bridge government representatives and communities together to better address education infrastructure decision-making. In 2023, a project between USAID, UNICEF and the Ministry of Education and Sports allowed students from various schools to meet directly with mayors from the Korça, Dibra, Roskovec, Elbasan and Gjirokastra municipalities to discuss solutions to pressing school infrastructure issues and educational needs. These conversations have been crucial in pushing for ongoing cooperation with stakeholders to improve the lack of necessary tools and resources for students across the nation.
Conclusion
Although Albania has made strides in education reform, disparities still persist among rural communities and teachers.
However, with the continued help of international institutions such as UNICEF, education in Albania has great potential to undergo impactful positive change, which will ultimately strengthen Albania’s economy and social welfare.
– Morgan Leahy, Moon Jung Kim
Photo: Flickr
Updated: July 10, 2024
7 Facts About Poverty in Norway
The European Union (EU) definition of the poverty line are those individuals making 60 percent of the national median earnings — for Norway, that would be about $17,000 a year. Using the EU definition, about 10 percent of Norwegians were considered below the relative poverty line in 2006, two years before the 2008 recession hit. Here are seven facts about poverty in Norway.
7 Facts About Poverty in Norway
Poverty looks similar and different across the globe. Norway still has challenges to overcome but has a government that continually works for its people. The current problem for social welfare programs fighting poverty in Norway may be hard to solve, but luckily the stockpile the country has accumulated can buy time for all its citizens to continue working towards a more sustainable future.
– Michael Rose
Photo: Flickr
Education in North Korea: Exploring School Systems
Many facets of life in North Korea are kept secret from the world. The business conducted in the nation is very classified, but what about its school systems? How are the youth of North Korea educated?
Education in North Korea is based on socialistic ideals and an efficiency-oriented school system with emphasis on Korean language, mathematics, literature, and the Kims.
Features of the system include 11 free years of education for children from the age of five through 15, no private schools and tight administrative control over the schools by the state administrative system.
Students are given a political education in the “Juche Doctrine” which outlines the Kim Il-sung ideology and revolutionary strategies, illustrating the importance and necessity of collectivistic activities in their nation. Putting these theories into practice are the basis of the North Korean school system.
Not to mention the leader of the communist nation, Kim Jong-un, forces his people to understand the importance of his family. According to a study by the Korea Institute for Curriculum Evaluation, students learn more about the Kims and their history than any other subject.
Each North Korean student is required to learn about the lives of Kim, his late father Kim Jong-il, his grandfather Kim Il-sung and grandmother Kim Jong-suk for at least 684 hours during the curriculum. Jong-il and Il-sung lessons are roughly 171 hours each, while Jung-suk lessons are only 34 hours.
Why is the combination of Kim’s history and the three bases used? Simple — to help North Korea maintain its oppressive power.
Students as young as four years old are taught about the greatness of the communist ideology and their leaders, past and present, shaping their minds to believe in the North Korean way. There is an emphasis on math in order to help create future technicians, scientists and workers that the government can rely on to help achieve the nation’s goals.
Children are supposed to learn phrases like “Long live Great Leader Generalissimo Kim Il-sung” before “Hello, how are you.”
Uniformity is the most common characteristic among schools in North Korea, comparable to the government. Rather than living up to needs of the youth, education in North Korea more closely relates to the political system. Diversity and creativity in North Korean schools are rarely nurtured.
Overall, instead of producing creative and unique individuals, education in North Korea is based on producing more followers and worshippers of the North Korean regime.
– Mary Waller
Photo: Flickr
7 Facts About Education in Barbados
10 Facts About the International Affairs Budget
The Trump Administration recently released its federal budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18), proposing deep cuts for the International Affairs Budget. The proposal includes plans to cut State Department and USAID funding by 31 percent and the Treasury International Programs budget by 35 percent. The proposed $37.6 billion total budget cut for the State Department and USAID starkly contrasts the $54 billion increase proposed for the Department of Defense.
There has already been pushback to the proposal, including a letter signed by more than 120 retired generals and admirals against the cuts, and another opposition letter signed by more than 100 faith leaders.
Top 10 things you need to know about the International Affairs Budget
The International Affairs Budget is a tiny component of the overall federal budget, but its impact in myriad areas is enormous. American jobs, economic growth, national security, and global health are just a few areas that will be affected if the proposed cuts by the Trump Administration are implemented.
– Michael Farquharson
Photo: Oxfam
How Foreign Aid Works
Angus Deaton won the 2015 Nobel Prize in Economics for his research on the effects of foreign aid on economic development in developing countries. The most important message to be taken from his work is that foreign aid is only one small piece of the equation. To say that foreign aid directly translates into economic growth is an oversimplification. Without transparent and effective governmental institutions and sound economic policies, research shows that aid is not always effective.
Foreign aid works when all of these different variables come together. It’s a simple equation. It has become popular sentiment to denounce aid as ineffective, based on specific case studies where all of these variables were not in place and results fell short of their targets. While not all aid is effective, this rhetoric flies in the face of all of the progress that has been made because of aid. The truth is that foreign aid works when all of the variables — effective institutions, policies, and transparency — are in place.
Aid has been especially effective in improving health in Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Malaria rates dropped by 51 percent between 2000 and 2012 after 300 million bed nets were given out by the World Health Organization (WHO). Ten million HIV-infected individuals are now receiving life-saving medicine. Tuberculosis rates have dropped by 45 percent since 1990, and 122 million children’s lives have been saved since 1990. This progress is largely due to the work of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), which has immunized 580 million children around the world. Extreme poverty has been cut in half since 1990, and African poverty rates have dropped by 10 percent since 1999.
These are huge success stories that deserve recognition. Foreign aid works. Not only does it work, but it is also in the interest of U.S. national security. Former Homeland Security secretary Tom Ridge said, “The programs supported by the International Affairs Budget are as essential to our national security as defense programs. Development and diplomacy protect our nation by addressing the root causes of terrorism and conflict.”
The questions asked in U.S. policymaking circles today shouldn’t be whether to cut aid or not; the question that needs to be asked is how to increase the efficacy of aid and to grow upon our successes. Cutting the International Affairs Budget would discredit all of the hard work and successes that have come out of these operations in recent decades.
– Josh Ward
Photo: Flickr
10 Facts About Hunger in Libya
Located in northern Africa, the arid country of Libya is known for its large oil reserves and sweeping desert. However, conflict has left the country with a largely displaced population and economic troubles that have fostered food scarcity. Here are 10 facts about hunger in Libya.
10 Facts About Hunger in Libya
While food insecurity remains a problem in Libya, increasing food aid to the country and continuing talks to improve the political climate may help reduce hunger in Libya.
– Alexi Worley
Photo: Flickr
Women’s Education Center in Madagascar Signals Hope
During a presidential tour of Madagascar on Jan. 25, 2017, Turkish first lady Emine Erdoğan addressed the need for increased educational opportunities for women and girls. Erdoğan’s inauguration of the Women’s Education Center in Madagascar was just one of the facets of her visit to the country. Erdoğan and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Madagascar as part of a campaign to strengthen ties between the two countries and encourage Turkish investment in Madagascar’s economy.
More than half of the 17 million people living in Madagascar are children. What’s more, half of Madagascar’s population subsists on less than $1 a day. This makes the subject of education all the more critical to the country’s development. While Madagascar’s education system has steadily improved over the past 10 years, some regions must work hard to ensure gender parity for their students, particularly in lower secondary education.
Following a coup d’état in 2009, much of Madagascar’s foreign aid was withdrawn, and the economy has since been slow to recover. Poverty increased sharply, infrastructure deteriorated and educational funding was slashed. The Turkish first lady’s inauguration of the Women’s Education Center in Madagascar comes at a time when increased focus on education is a necessity: UNICEF estimates that while 75 percent of children at the primary level are enrolled, roughly 1.5 million are still out of school, and gender parity remains a concern.
The goal of the Women’s Education Center in Madagascar is to empower women and support African development. It offers courses to roughly 100 women in fields such as horticulture, technology, cooking and textile work. In addition, the African Handicrafts Market and Culture House in Ankara, Turkey, will sell crafts produced by women at the center. All proceeds will go back to Madagascar.
The center is a highlight of the work done by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA). TIKA provided $3.9 billion in development aid in 2015, and is active in 140 countries. Further, during his tour, President Erdoğan encouraged his country’s investors and entrepreneurs to become involved with Madagascar’s National Development Project. The project aims to increase funding and revenue from areas such as tourism, agriculture and construction.
The Turkish first lady’s inauguration of the Women’s Education Center in Madagascar illustrates a step forward for education in the country. It is especially important for women who support struggling communities. The school serves as a symbol of resilience and stimulation for the minds of young women, the economy and society.
– Emily Marshall
Photo: Flickr
Global Benefits of the Trade Facilitation Agreement
The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) came into effect on Feb. 22, 2017, after ratification by the World Trade Organization (WTO). According to the WTO, the TFA contains provisions allowing for “expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit.” The agreement was created to benefit both wealthy, developing and underdeveloped countries that wish to engage in trade and commerce.
According to an article in The Economist, the TFA is designed to cut trading costs in developing countries by implementing more efficient processes and eliminating unnecessary obstacles prior to export clearance.
For example, individuals in sub-Saharan Africa must go through an excessive amount of barriers to get an item exported, including going through up to 200 hours of regulations and inspections. In comparison, wealthier countries may face up to only 15 hours of regulations and inspections.
According to the WTO, full implementation of the TFA “could reduce trade costs by an average of 14.3 percent and boost global trade by up to $1 trillion per year, with the biggest gains in the poorest countries.”
The TFA is divided into different sections and categories, each made up of substantive provisions. For example, section one of the agreement contains provisions necessary for expediting the movement and clearance of goods. Section two, however, consists of special provisions that would allow for developing and underdeveloped countries to benefit from trade facilitation upon receiving special assistance from member organizations that are involved in its implementation.
The member organizations that are involved in assisting developing and underdeveloped countries include the WTO, World Customs Organization and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
The TFA will result in a heightened level of exports taking place out of developing and underdeveloped countries. Furthermore, a rise in trading expenditures will have a positive global effect on countries such as the U.S.
– Lael Pierce
Photo: Flickr
El Nino And Hunger In Papua New Guinea
Since the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon in mid-2015, Papua New Guinea (PNG) has been struggling through frost, drought and widespread food and water shortages. The ENSO — a period of unpredictable fluctuations in temperatures and currents of the wind and sea — disrupted food production and ruined the livelihoods of the many who live there. Food prices had already sharply increased by the end of 2015. The limited availability of food supplies in the markets makes for an even higher risk of starvation and suffering, in addition to the regular problem of hunger in Papua New Guinea.
As one of the poorest countries in Asia, PNG has 37 percent of its population living below the poverty line. Diseases like malaria are taking an increased toll. People are already weakened by the hunger in PNG, making it difficult to fight off sickness. The weather phenomenon also devastated the crops last year due to frost and drought, leaving farmers with nothing to eat.
According to the World Food Programme, as many as 700,000 people in PNG are in need of food assistance. Hunger in Papua New Guinea has also been overlooked, as the government has not issued any requests for assistance or declarations of emergency, even though staples like sweet potatoes were destroyed by low rainfall throughout 2015. Frosts from July through October continued to damage crops the following year. In October, there were several local villagers who said they walked through red dust– something that is unseen in the area.
Although the government began investigating reports of deaths, especially due to hunger, many badly affected communities have yet to receive aid. The slow response is due to the fact that PNG has a rugged terrain. Many villages and communities are only accessible by a multi-day trek from the next town over, or by aircraft that is flown by a pilot trained to land on small strips in the middle of the jungle.
Several World Food Programme groups have been offering food aid since the ENSO hit in 2015. With the world working together as a whole, charity organizations have raised enough money and helped grow enough food to feed more than one million people in PNG. At this rate, PNG is expected to be out of its ENSO drought by 2020 and back to standard living rates, although those are well under the national poverty lines as well.
PNG’s villagers are starting to witness more green fields, running children, happy families and liveliness being restored into the country. They will soon be back to where they were, fighting the usual hunger in Papua New Guinea, and pushing for better lifestyles.
– Rilee Pickle
Photo: Flickr