Von der Leyen said she would visit the Emin Duraku school in Tirana with Prime Minister Edi Rama on Thursday. The school was rebuilt with EU support after the earthquake.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Rama, von der Leyen recalled the EU’s solidarity with Albania following the disaster.

“Dear Edi, tomorrow morning we will have the pleasure of visiting the Emin Duraku school. In 2019, when Albania was hit by the devastating earthquake, I remember those days and how terrible it was. I told you: Europe will stand by your side. And we did,” she said.

Von der Leyen described the EU’s school reconstruction programme as one of the most tangible examples of European solidarity and cooperation with Albania.

“The EU school programme is one that I particularly like. It is perhaps one of the most tangible programmes, one of the most concrete examples of this solidarity and cooperation,” she said.

She said the programme had helped rebuild or renovate 63 schools, providing facilities for a new generation of young Europeans.

“Schools such as Emin Duraku now welcome and educate a new generation of young Europeans. I very much look forward to visiting tomorrow,” von der Leyen said.

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Speaking about the operation, Demo emphasized that cracking down on drug distribution—particularly near schools—is a priority for the State Police in Tirana and across the country.

“As part of the operation, 31 individuals were placed under arrest, while 14 others have been declared wanted,” Demo stated.

He pledged that the State Police would remain committed to ensuring student safety.

The “Clean Schools” operation followed a four-month investigation by the Narcotics Investigation Sector of Tirana Local Police Directorate, in cooperation with Tirana Prosecutor’s Office. The investigation identified 52 individuals suspected of belonging to several groups that were selling narcotics near primary and secondary schools, as well as in various areas of the capital. 31 of them were arrested. /p.s./

Kumbaro thanked all partners for their instrumental role in bringing this program to life. Its success reflects the persistent and maximum effort of everyone involved.

Attending the event, there were Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu, Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Albania Silvio Gonzato and partners of the European Union, UNDP.

Further on, Minister Kumbaro provided details on the work to implement this program thanks to which there have benefited 25 thousand children in 11 municipalities of the country.

“Beyond the numbers, EU4Schools has rebuilt trust and restored a sense of normalcy for our communities. By setting high standards—and applying them to all 42 newly constructed or rehabilitated schools nationwide—we are ensuring that every child, whether in a major city or a remote area, has access to modern learning spaces and after-school programs”, said Minister Kumbaro.

At the end of the meeting, Kumbaro emphasized that the conclusion of the EU4Schools initiative marks not an end, but the beginning of a new chapter. Through it, the enduring partnership between Albania and the European Union will continue to deliver tangible benefits for all citizens. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro announced that, “The schools that will open their doors are “Edith Durham”, “Pjetër Budi”, “Ibrahim Hima”, “Kolë Jakova”, “Shyqyri Peza”, “Mersin Duqi”, the Unified Secondary School of Kërrabë and the 9-year school on “Muharrem Çaushi” street.

Kumbaro said that thanks to the support and investment of Tirana Municipality, thousands of students will learn in modern environments, equipped with contemporary infrastructure that increases the quality of teaching and the well-being of children.

Meanwhile, throughout the country, there are opened 42 construction sites in schools, where work is underway in cooperation with the municipalities for the reconstruction and construction of new educational facilities.

The ‘School Streets’ initiative, which will establish 20 new, safe routes for children to commute to school.

This project aims to improve safety roads near schools and bring significant improvements to the urban landscape and quality of life in the capital. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

Following a months-long investigation, authorities placed 13 suspects in prison, ordered 4 under house arrest, and issued a warrant for 1 additional individual.

Police have charged suspects from Durrës, Kavajë, Shijak, Sukth, Manzë, and Xhafzotaj with the repeated production and sale of narcotics, operating in collaboration.

All evidence was forwarded to the Durrës Prosecutor’s Office.

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Speaking during a meeting with teachers and students at “Kosova” school in Tirana, Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro said the initiative had already produced positive results in student achievement.

“As this project, launched in 30 schools with around 2,000 students and 60 trained mathematics teachers, is yielding its first results, together with UNICEF Albania we are discussing the possibility of expanding ‘Eduten’ in the future,” Kumbaro said.

The “Eduten” programme is described as an innovative initiative that places children, teachers and game-based learning at the centre of mathematics education.

The platform combines effective teaching methods with modern technology to make learning mathematics more engaging, inclusive and efficient, according to the ministry.

The pilot project is being implemented in cooperation with UNICEF Albania, with discussions underway on possible expansion to additional schools.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of students who have finalized their projects and are ready to present them as part of the first National Science Festival for high schools.

“On ​​the day when the Science Festival formally assumes the meaning of a competition, where experiments and knowledge are materialized into concrete achievements and well-structured projects, ready to be presented before juries at the school level, a unique challenge begins across the country that includes Albanian high schools,” said Rama.

2026 Science Festival challenges students to explore, innovate, and solve real-world problems through hands-on STEM projects.

In this first phase, the competition takes place at the school level, where juries will evaluate research works, scientific experiments, engineering prototypes and digital solutions prepared by students.

This activity, supported by the Ministry of Education and relevant institutions, represents an innovation in pre-university education, transforming the school into a space of creativity and innovation. This festival fosters a stronger culture of research and cooperation among youth. /j.p/p.s./

Environmental education connects students with critical ecological issues, including biodiversity, habitat health, and vital resources like air, water, and soil.

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today in the social media the example of the students of the “Jorgji Dilo” school in Elbasan, who turned the environmental education program into a space for action and awareness for the protection of nature through small, but meaningful gestures.

Rama noted that environmental education classes in schools are the foundation for creating a new civic culture, where people learn about recycling, saving resources, protecting biodiversity and responsibility towards public space.

According to PM Rama, through the program of the Ministry of Environment and the Agency for Protected Areas in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, there have been carried out over 7 thousand hours of environmental education in about 400 schools.

During environmental education classes, students are emotionally and physically involved in issues related to the environment. They learn about solving concerns and problems of pollution, waste, energy, circular economy and the protection and love of nature.

During classes, students get informed by experts on protected areas and cultivate love for ecosystems, biodiversity, lagoons, parks and care for them. /e.i/j.p/p.s./

“We are talking about a global challenge while there is an unlimited opening of the virtual world. We shall have to treat this challenge all of us together – social, political, economic, media actors, from the family to the state – as a cause for joining forces, and not as the routine reason for the politics of the moment”, said Kumbaro.

The minister highlighted the fact that, “329 security officers are present every day in the schools. Also 1183 psychologists and social workers are active in public and non-public schools in the Republic of Albania”, said Kumbaro.

Minister Kumbaro concluded that these data should not be denied. /e.i/j.p/p.s./

She made the statement during meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Civil Emergencies.

Kumbaro said that even in cases where classes have been suspended, there has been no damage to educational buildings, but the decision was taken to guarantee the safety of students and teachers during transportation.

According to her, the most problematic situation is in the regions of Gjirokastra, Vlora and Fier where 10 schools are closed.

Minister Kumbaro also said that, “In Elbasan, Korça and Berat regions, there are around 32 schools closed today, where due to the frost we have decided not to endanger either the students or the teachers”.

“We are actively monitoring the situation, with updates being issued hourly”, said Kumbaro. /k.s/a.f/p.s./