The basic education is obligatory and aims at developing the intellectual, creative, practical and physical skills of pupils, developing their personality and providing them with the fundamental elements of the general culture and civic education. The basic obligatory education lasts 9 years and it starts with the age of 6 years old. The pupil is obliged to follow the basic education up to the age of 16 years old. The basic education consists of two cycles:
Elementary cycle (school classes I – V);
Secondary low cycle (school classes VI – IX).
Basic Education
The aim of the compulsory basic education is to provide students with intellectual, creative, practical and physical skills; develop their personality and offer key elements of general culture and civilized behaviour. Compulsory basic education starts at the age of 6 and lasts no less than 9 years. According to Article no.10 of Law no.7952, “Preuniversity Education Law”, changed, students from minority groups (Greek, Macedonian, etc.), have a right to study in their native language and learn about the history and culture of their own country, within the framework of the plans and programs of the educational programs approved from Ministry.
Secondary Education
Secondary General Education provides a general culture that is expanding and deepening the culture and knowledge gained through basic education. General secondary schools may design educational programs to enable students to acquire knowledge, skills, and abilities for personal preparation necessary for studies in high school or for a specific professional training. The duration of general secondary education lasts three years.
Professional Education prepares the next generation of skilled workers. To strengthen the professional education system the Ministry of Education and Science (now Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth) has undertaken significant reforms in recent years. Professional education may last minimum of two years and a total of four years. On completion of each level, (2+1+1) the student is certified and decides to move to the next level of professional training or starts working. In the case of technical education, the program lasts four years. After completing secondary education (general or professional) students can begin post-secondary profession-al education lasting 1-2 years.
Foreign Languages Secondary Schools are an integral part of secondary education, with a duration of three years, and aim to provide more in depth teaching in one (or more) foreign languages, in addition to the general curriculum. While, Bilingual training sections provide bilingual education school of students in two languages (mother tongue and a foreign language). Bilingual school sections have a three year period and their performance is based on bilateral agreements (ex. agreement with the Italian government, French and German).
Secondary education in the area of arts or sports is an additional opportunity given to gifted or talented students, i.e. students who have specific abilities in areas such as arts, choreography or sports. Arts and Sports Secondary schools are of three or four years duration, depending on the branch of study.
You can find pre university school lists in Albania
- List of Public Schools in Tirana and List of Private Schools in Tirana
- Public and Private Schools in the villages of Tirana
- Public and Private Schools in Vlora
- Public and Private Schools in Shkodra
Here are some of pre-university private schools giving education in english in Albania
University Education
Following the adoption of the Bologna Declaration in 18 September 2003, the Albanian higher education was involved in a process of reform and restructuring, aligned with the Bologna process. As in all European Union Countries, The Higher Education system in Albania includes Universities, Academies, Professional Colleges, Higher Schools and Inter-University Centres, offering accredited study programs. According to the Public Accreditation Agency for Higher Education, the system of Higher Education Institutions consists of 14 public and 47 non public, and the Centre for Albanology Studies. Forms of study in the Higher Education Institutions are: Full-time learning, part-time learning and distance learning.
Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth
Universities in Albania
Here is the list of Public Universities in Albania
Here are the links of some Non-Public Universities in Albania