Kriva Palanka, 5 October 2021 (MIA) – French Ambassador Cyrille Baumgartner. has presented Elena Nikolovska, French language teacher at the Kriva Palanka primary school, with Ordre des Palmes académiques (Order of Academic Palms), a national order bestowed by the French Republic on distinguished academics and teachers and for valuable service to universities, education and science. “This decoration is a dream come true. Thanks to the unconditional support by the French Institute in Skopje since the beginning of my career as a French language teacher, as well as the support from the French Embassy, I have had the opportunity to take part in numerous projects and competitions organized by the Ministry of Education and Science, the association of French language teachers and the International Organization of the Francophonie, contributing to the improvement of my skills through the use of most innovative pedagogical methods,” said Nikolovska. Originally established in 1808 by Emperor Napoleon as a decoration to honour eminent members of the University of Paris, the Order of Academic Palms was changed into its current form as an order of merit on 4 October 1955 by President René Coty, making it one of the oldest civil honours bestowed by the French Republic.