Make Teaching a Dream Job for the Years to Come
The time to invest in teachers is now and make teaching a leading profession in Albania
If you are looking to upgrade your skills in coding, create a webpage, or learn more in physics, you can just team up with the high school students from “Myslym Keta” in the Kombinat area, and you will achieve just that.
On Teacher’s Day, I was warmly welcomed by the headmistress of the school, Mrs. Blerina Lala, a passionate and dedicated teacher who has devoted her life to education. She eagerly guided me to the “Smart Lab”, a cutting-edge educational space, supported by the Italian government in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports, and UNICEF. The Lab serves as a dynamic learning hub in which students are engaged actively regardless of their gender, making their learning experience both enjoyable and interactive.
I was impressed to see how technology is seamlessly integrated into their learning. Indrit, a student from SmartLab, shared with confidence:
Previously, we had limited opportunities to apply our knowledge practically. This lab has transformed our learning into something simpler and more captivating.
During the visit, I was lucky to be accompanied by one of the youngest students of the school, Esli, who spoke English fluently. She enthusiastically discussed an art project that she and her classmates had prepared as part of the “Stay in School, Stay in Albania” initiative.
Esli is no older than 16 years old and she works as a part-time waiter in her free time. She is fuelled by her parents' ethos of achieving greatness through honest and hard work. Her aspiration? To excel in computer science.
Blerina, the headmistress turned to me and said: “Nowadays, it is hard to find students to pursue a career in teaching. It’s often a matter of mindset. Being a teacher is not only about teaching a subject; you need to have a myriad of skills. It requires knowledge, experience, and encouragement. It means being a friend and a parent to tackle the problem, and a psychologist to identify the risks that students may face at home or at school. It's a very challenging and often thankless job.” – explained Blerina.
As I walked from one class to another, I heard a common concern from the students and the teachers: limited parental engagement with the school, often due to economic and social pressures, and rigid work schedules. However, students always find a way out. “Myslym Keta” serves not just as a school, but also as a community center, offering numerous after-school activities in which some parents participate.
Blerina, the headmistress, proudly explained to me that teachers had learned about career counselling to help young people succeed in life. Thanks to the training on the career preparation program provided by our implementing partners, Quality Assurance Agency (ASCAP), and supported by UNICEF, these teachers are now able to help students discover their talents, interests, and dreams and help them make informed career choices.
Among the teachers, we had a special visitor, Olta Jacellari, a representative from the Local Department of Education in Tirana. She commended the teachers involved in the “Stay in School” program, emphasizing its comprehensive nature and the pivotal role of the early warning system in preventing dropout rates. She affirmed a commitment to continuous improvement, aiming to create safer, more engaging, and welcoming schools.
Concluding my visit, I was treated to a warm cup of coffee, a testament to Albanian hospitality. Their dedication and relentless efforts to enrich the learning experience left me deeply inspired.
Reflecting on my journey back, I penned some thoughts for the Minister of Education and Sports to convey my simple message that the time to invest in teachers is now and make teaching a leading profession in Albania.
