TIRANA, March 7 /ATA/ – Democratic Party (DP) leader Sali Berisha on Saturday said education would be an “absolute priority” for the main opposition party, stating Albania’s education system was facing a deep national crisis.
Speaking at a meeting with the party’s Education Department attended by university lecturers, teachers and union representatives on Teacher’s Day, Berisha expressed appreciation for the role of educators, calling teachers “true missionaries of the nation” whose work is crucial for the country’s future.
Berisha argued that the education system has significantly deteriorated in recent years, referring to what he described as an “extraordinary crisis” and a decline more severe than infrastructure problems in the country.
He also criticised policies affecting higher education, including the suspension of doctoral programmes at universities, which he said had harmed academic development and scientific research.
Referring to results from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Berisha said Albania had seen a significant drop in international rankings, calling it an alarming indicator of the state of education and a signal for deep reforms.
Berisha said rebuilding the country should begin with restoring the role and status of teachers, including improving their financial and professional conditions.
He also called on intellectuals, students and academics to play a more active role in public life, urging civic mobilisation and peaceful protest to push for political change, with students and young people at the forefront.
/j.p/u.sh/
