Shortage of Textbooks Disrupts Learning in North Macedonia

Textbook shortages in North Macedonia force students to rely on online resources, impacting learning, especially in vocational schools.

on Oct 15, 2024

Shortage of Textbooks Disrupts Learning in North Macedonia

In North Macedonia, the ongoing shortage of textbooks, nearly a month into the school year, is creating significant challenges for students, particularly in vocational fields.

Rinora, a fourth-year Biochemistry student at the High School of Agriculture in Tetovo, reports that the scarcity of textbooks forces her to spend considerable time online searching for study materials. "It is understood that the lack of books makes it difficult for us to learn," she explains, highlighting the efforts of professors to source materials from the internet.

Agnesa, an Electrical Engineering student at a vocational high school in Skopje, shares similar frustrations, having faced a lack of texts for the past two years. She often resorts to making photocopies of her classmates’ notes and finds it disheartening, stating, "The lack of books also makes students lose their will to learn." She emphasizes that learning is easier when using physical books, despite relying on internet resources for study.

In North Macedonia’s secondary education system, around 72 students across 80 schools attended the learning process, with about 40 enrolled in vocational schools. Teuta Saliu, a Biochemistry teacher, notes the added pressure on educators to prepare without adequate materials. They usually get material from the Internet, she says, explaining how this complicates her teaching.

According to Visar Duraku, director of the Vocational High School "Cvetan Dimov," the shortage of textbooks is an ongoing issue. He expresses hope for resolution so that classes can run smoothly, stating, "After every beginning of the year, vocational schools are faced with a lack of books."

While primary and secondary students in North Macedonia receive free textbooks, many are outdated, having been in use for up to four generations and showing signs of damage. The Center for Professional Education and Training is responsible for drafting new textbooks and reports that they are working on a substantial number of texts across various subjects.

Despite reassurances from the Ministry of Education about resolving the textbook issue, students continue to learn without adequate resources. The Bureau for the Development of Education recently assured that the delay in publishing new textbooks would not disrupt the educational process, yet the lack of materials remains a pressing concern for students and educators alike.