Alarm: Within a decade, 40 schools have been closed in Kosovo

The decline of nightiness, immigration and the emptying of villages are turning education into a silent closing story.

In the last 10 years, over 350 public schools have been closed in Albania, Kosovo and Northern Macedonia, reflecting a deep demographic and educational crisis in the region.

According to official data, 295 public schools have been closed in Albania from 2012 to 2022. In Kosovo, 40 schools have been closed in 2013, 1923, while in northern Macedonia, the number moves from 30 to 44 schools closed. These are not just statistical data, but it's an alarm call for the future of our societies.

Nightfall, migration towards Western countries, and subsequently emptying villages are the main factors leading to the closure of hundreds of educational institutions.

In Albania, the situation has brought an unusual disbalancing into the teacher's report. In some cases the report is 7 teachers per 3 students. The most difficult situation is in rural areas where families flee to cities for a better life.

In Kosovo, there are schools operating with only 550 students, in some cases even less. The number of middle education students in 2024/2025 was 63,551. Compared to the preceding year 2023/2024 (which was 65,757 students), the number of students in middle education has dropped by more than 2,000 for one year, respectively.

In northern Macedonia, Education Minister Vesna Janevska has proposed turning closed school objects into centres for the elderly -- a decision that highlights even more demographic shift. Less young, more elderly. / T RT Albanian/Periscopi/