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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.
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