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Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The language used in the analysis of the results of the PISA test for Albania does not leave room for much discussion. "During the analysis, Albania was mentioned several times as a negative anomaly", it is said in the part of the conclusions that actually summarizes the drastic drop in the results of students from Albania in the test.
Based on the detailed report, published at the beginning of December, Albania had a decline in all indicators compared to its results in 2018. The decline is not only in the three areas of testing (math, science and reading) but also in indicators of others, including those that divide students according to economic criteria.
Reporters mark this with almost dramatic notes, describing it as the biggest drop that PISA had recorded during the time this test is taking place. "These patterns suggest that the decline in Albania's performance - one of the largest ever recorded in PISA - reflects, at least in part, a lack of student engagement," the report states, among other things.
For experts, this situation is an indicator of the government's negligence towards education. "The Ministry of Education should be responsible for curricular reforms in the pre-university system, structural reforms, but also the advertised investments in new schools or laboratories, why have they not contributed to more positive results. So, we are dealing with missing responsibility, failed policies and inefficient investments", says Migen Qiraxhi, from Qëndresa Cijetare.
BIRN asked the Ministry of Education and the Prime Minister in December for a position regarding the situation in pre-university education, the results of the PISA test and the measures to be taken, but did not receive a response.
The PISA test is a worldwide initiative by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD, to measure the ability of 15-year-old students to use their knowledge in mathematics, science and reading.
The tests explore how well students can solve complex problems, think critically and communicate effectively, giving insight into how well their countries' education systems prepare them for real-life challenges.
Lack of attention
For Migen Qiraxhi from Qëndresa Gytare, Albania's drastic drop in all three test indicators shows the lack of attention of the government and the failure of reforms or policies in this area.
The tenant also sees the lack of responsibility in the fact that despite the bad results, there is no serious reaction from the Ministry of Education or the government and there is no plan to change the situation. "More than a month has already passed since the PISA result and there is no communication about a plan of measures, a plan which was communicated by the Prime Minister of the country that is being prepared in the Ministry of Education. A delay which makes us understand that education is not a priority of this government", he says.
Gresimela Sula, from the Movement for the University, points out the deficient infrastructure that affects the quality of education. "Many schools in Albania suffer from a lack of necessary infrastructure and resources, such as scientific laboratories, libraries and information technology. Classes are overcrowded in Tirana, or with low numbers in the districts," she says.
Sula also points to the disparity between students in different economic strata, one of the worsening indicators according to PISA where it is noted that "disadvantaged students" in Albania experienced a greater decline in test performance.
"The issue of equality in education must be addressed, ensuring that all students, regardless of socio-economic background or geographic region, have access to quality education," she says.
Need for intervention
Apart from the fact that Albania is ranked among the last countries among the 80 countries in which the PISA test is conducted, the results of the next test show a deterioration compared to itself.
From 2009 to 2018, Albania only saw an increase in results, despite the fact that its ranking compared to other countries remained bad. But the latest test data shows that much of what was gained in previous tests was lost.
Based on the graphs of the report, Albania's results in mathematics and science fell below those achieved in 2009. In both branches, students scored slightly above the level of 350 points. The decline in science is even greater, as here the results in 2009 were close to 400 points.
The results in reading were also not better, although in this branch the results were still above the level of points obtained in 2009.
The tenant sees the situation as something to be expected due to the continuous reduction of funding in education and the mass exodus of young people from the country. He says that the situation is alarming and that the situation resembles a crisis.
"In the crisis situation where it is, our country needs emergency as well as long-term strategic intervention. We estimate that those that are urgent and that give immediate impact are the increase in funding up to 5% of the budget, accompanied by transparent mechanisms, the depoliticization of the educational administration and the improvement of the teacher's status (salary increase, reduction of hourly workload and number of students per teacher)", he says.
Sula also requires intervention in these areas. She says that Albania needs "a new and comprehensive educational reform, but also an economic system that produces less inequality, because education should not be the privilege of some, but fair." / BIRN
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