Education Reform: Ohrid Agreement

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Education Reform: Ohrid Agreement

Implementations

Education Reform – 2001

Following the approval of the constitutional changes by the parliament in November 2001, the issue of Albanian-language higher education remained unresolved. The issue was related to the legalization of Tetovo University, which was an Albanian language higher education institution.[fn]”Macedonia: rector calls for legalization of ethnic Albanian Tetovo University,” BBC Monitoring Europe, November 21, 2001.[/efn_note]

Education Reform – 2002

Issues related to legality of the Albanian language higher education remained unresolved. It remained a contentious issue.

Education Reform – 2003

On 17 July 2003, government changed the education law and allowed the ethnic-Albanian Tetovo University to operate on a legal basis. “The move is a decisive step towards ending a standoff that has become one of the most divisive issues in Macedonian politics. Education has been the source of significant tension between the ethnic-Macedonian majority and the country’s 30% Albanian minority, which currently forms only 3% of the student population at the two official universities of Skopje and Bitola. The recognition of Tetovo University was a key demand in the 2001 clashes between ethnic Albanian rebel forces and the Macedonian government.”1 According to the law, “the Albanian language is raised to the level of official use in the institutions of higher education, and will at the same time enjoy the right to funds from the state budget in the same way as the University of Shkup Skopje and that of Manastir Bitola.”2

  1. “Macedonia Moves to Legalize Ethnic-Albanian University,” World Markets Analysis, July 1, 2003.
  2. “Macedonia’s Tetovo University receives state funding under new law,” BBC Monitoring Europe, July 19, 2003.

Education Reform – 2004

Education reform took place in 2004 that met the ethnic Albanian demands.

Education Reform – 2005

No further developments observed.

Education Reform – 2006

No further developments observed.

Education Reform – 2007

No further developments observed.

Education Reform – 2008

No further developments observed.

Education Reform – 2009

No further developments observed.

Education Reform – 2010

No further developments observed.