Pre-school education

Pre-school education in the Republic of Albania is public and non-public. It consists of nursery schools (crèches) and kindergarten. Nursery schools are institutions subordinate to the local government, for children between the ages of 0 and 3. Kindergartens are institutions subordinate to MoES for children between the ages of 3 and 6. Pre-school education is not compulsory, and it can be full or part time. Nursery schools run throughout the year.

Teaching in the pre-school education system is conducted on the basis of educational programmes approved by MoES. The mission of nursery schools, in cooperation with parents, is to provide early education and contribute to the development of children’s personality, so as to prepare them for school. The educational and teaching process in nursery schools of ethnic minority regions is conducted in their mother tongue.

Basic education

The goal of the compulsory basic education is to provide pupils with intellectual, creative, practical and physical skills, as well as develop their personality and offer fundamental principles of general culture and civic education.

Compulsory basic education starts at the age of six (6) and lasts no less than nine (9) years. Basic education attendance (till the age of 16) is mandatory and it is regulated so that it is uniform across the country. Institutions of basic education are established all across the Republic of Albania. Teenagers, who have not yet completed their basic education by the time they reach the age of 16, may attend part-time schools (reduced timetable).
Basic education consists of two levels: the lower level (grades I-IV) and the middle level (grades VI-IX).

The education of pupils with disabilities is conducted in specialized schools or in specialized classes within mainstream schools. There are also integrated in mainstream classes.

General secondary education – secondary schools

Secondary education is not compulsory.
Secondary education in the Republic of Albania consists of Secondary schools (full-time and part-time) and Secondary Vocational Schools.
Full-time secondary schools: According to Law on Pre-University Education, article 30: “Public Secondary Schools provide pupils with comprehensive knowledge; they further expand and deepen the knowledge and skills acquired in basic education schools”. Secondary education is of 3 years duration and terminates with the State Matura Exams.
The new secondary school structure and the new teaching curricula were implemented for the first time during the academic year 2009-2010. There are nine key fields included in these curricula:  Arts; Physical education and sports; Foreign languages; Albanian language and literature; Career promotion and personal growth; Mathematics; Technology, IT & computers; Natural sciences; Social sciences.
Secondary school curriculum consists of the core curriculum and the elective curriculum. (Please refer to question 3).
Secondary schools with a reduced time-table (part-time) are also available to adults.
Studies in part-time secondary schools last four (4) years and upon completion students take the State Matura exams (SM). Teaching and curricula programmes are approved by the Minister of Education and Science.