In a message marking the start of the 2026-27 academic year in Albania, the head of state also highlighted the role of universities in preparing both skilled professionals and engaged citizens.

“Today marks the start of a new academic year, a new journey of dedication and challenges for students and university staff,” Begaj said.

“Universities are where not only the skilled professionals of tomorrow are shaped, but, above all, engaged citizens who will build the country’s future.”

Begaj encouraged students to make the most of their university years, urging them to have “the courage to dream, the discipline to work hard and the confidence to achieve success.”

He also extended his wishes to students and university staff for a successful academic year.

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Minister of Education and Sports Ogerta Manastirliu, alongside Kamza Mayor Rakip Suli, visited the newly built “Angela Merkel” nine-year school in Kamza Municipality, where she extended her best wishes to students, teachers, and parents.

“This project has created fantastic learning spaces for over 1,100 schoolchildren,” Manastirliu said. “It’s more than a school – it serves as a community center, offering facilities for sports, culture, and the arts, including gymnasiums and outdoor athletic fields.”

The “Angela Merkel” school is one of 30 educational institutions opening this year, adding to a total of 450 schools and sports facilities built or renovated across the country in the past decade.

Education Minister emphasized the government’s ongoing commitment to modernizing school infrastructure while ensuring access to science and technology labs for all students. “This school offers some of the best-equipped labs, aligned with our goal of expanding STEM education,” she noted.

The school features around 40 classrooms and covers over 10,000 square meters, providing space not only for teaching but also for extracurricular activities.

A four-year national plan envisions 200 new schools and sports fields, all equipped with smart and STEM labs. By 2027, Albania aims to have 1,000 smart labs nationwide, along with smartboards and laptops for every teacher.

The new school year also began with free textbooks for 236,000 students and scholarships for 3,800 children from vulnerable social groups. The Ministry of Education has also expanded school safety measures, psycho-social services, and support staff.

Around 345,000 pre-university students began classes across Albania on Monday, including more than 26,500 children attending school for the first time.

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“After many challenges caused by the COVID-19 virus we are returning to the auditorium to continue the normal teaching process, a difficult but appropriate decision with the conviction that you will show maximum responsibility and accountability to continue the vaccination process and implementation of other protective measures against the virus,” Hoxha said.

In his remarks, Hoxha said that, ”on behalf of the staff, but also in the capacity of head of the Conference of Rectors I wish the students a successful new Academic Year 2021-2022, in particular all those boys and girls who have joined for the first time the University of Tirana . I assure you that you have made the right choice to lay the foundations of your life, as this university is the largest and most important institution of higher education in the country.”

“The smooth running of this academic year depends on our behavior in relation to protective measures,” Hoxha added. //a.i/