Skopje, 16 February 2023 (MIA) – A kindergarten officially opened on Thursday in the Skopje village of Volkovo. It has been constructed following modern standards and it has the capacity to provide care for 150 children.

The overall value, including the equipment, is approximately EUR 1.7 million, funds secured through the Social Service Improvement Project of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, supported by the World Bank and the Municipality of Gjorche Petrov.

Minister of Labor and Social Policy Jovana Trenchevska, Gjorche Petrov Mayor  Aleksandar Stojkoski, World Bank Country Manager for Kosovo and for North Macedonia Massimilliano Paolucci and Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski attended the event, where it was announced that further 20 kindergartens will be built and finished by the end of 2023.

“We have opened 75 kindergartens since 2017, with the capacity for 5500 children, and this year we are increasing this number to 76, caring for 5,650 children. Service givers and teachers in kindergartens have received a 36% pay increase from 2017 onwards. With the new harmonization in March, this percentage will reach a cumulative 40-50% of overall growth for the past five years,” said PM Kovachevski.

With the new increase that will occur in March, the minimum wage will reach Mden 20,500, according to the PM. This is a linear increase of wages for around Mden 2,500 for all employees in public preschools.

Minister Trenchevska said that the Ministry has invested in 76 kindergartens, and that the Project to Improve Social Services alone plans for 16 kindergartens, of which 9 are operational.

“This kindergarten will be the second home to around 150 children, who will be included in the educational process by learning through play, gathering knowledge and skills for a successful development in the future. This incredible architectural feat got the 2021 award from the Association of Architects and it will offer the best conditions for the children,” Minister Trenchevska said.

Mayor Stojkovski said that the number of children on wait lists for kindergartens will be reduced now that the kindergarten named Sonce (Sun) is open.

“We’ve reduced the wait list by approximately 600 children, and the full optimization of this facility will lead to 180 children on wait lists. Early development is very important for children, for their socialization and garnering healthy life habits. We strive to increase our existing kindergartens’ capacities with all our resources,” Stojkoski said.

Paolucci said that the World Bank’s support has helped the MLSP start 16 projects connected to infrastructure. Most of them are done or in the advanced stages, he said, adding that they will give the chance to 2,000 children to participate in preschool education. The focus is on children from socially vulnerable groups.

“Investment in early childhood development is the best investment a country can have. Every four euros we spend today to guarantee access to early childhood development will yield 16 in return. The government, the local self-governments and the state are highly prioritizing early childhood education. We will continue to cooperate and further upgrade early childhood development in Macedonia,” Paolucci said. dk/ik/