Skopje, 20 February 2023 (MIA) - The funds allocated for education from the state budget are increasing year to year, but it is necessary to change their distribution in order to improve spending efficiency, secure sufficient financial resources to fulfil education standards in schools, strengthen results from spending and ensure that distribution of funds is fair and based on objective criteria, said Minister of Education and Science Jeton Shaqiri on Monday.

Minister Shaqiri took part at a session of the Municipality Funding Commission, where the new elementary education funding system was presented, according to standard expenses per student.

Shaqiri elaborated that the existing formula does not start from the funds that the schools need to secure quality education for all students and to fulfil education standards in accordance with each school's needs. Additionally, the existing system does not allow the municipalities to get sufficient funds for the professional development of teachers, student transport and other needs.

"The new formula has four components, of which the first is based on expenses per student, the second enables student transportation, as well as expenses covering students with special educational needs, students from socially vulnerable families, as well as students from ethnic minorities taking classes in a different language. The third component secures funds for the municipalities while they adjust to this new formula, and the fourth is a development component that will motivate schools to improve year after year if they want to secure more funding," said Shaqiri.

The World Bank and UNICEF have partnered with the Ministry of Education and Science in this segment of reforms of the national education system.

Securing quality education that will enable the children and young adults to be on equal ground with their peers from the developed world, with knowledge, skills and competences also includes optimal spending of available funds. dk/ik/