Education in Kosovo: Towards Inclusion, Equity, and Digital Readiness

In today’s rapidly evolving world, equitable access to quality education is not just an aspiration—it’s a necessity. Kosovo, with a population of 1.6 million and the youngest demographic in Europe, has the opportunity to reshape its future by investing in its education system. However, as it stands, Kosovo’s education system faces a range of critical challenges that threaten to leave its most vulnerable children behind.

The Educational Crisis in Kosovo

Kosovo’s education system faces a dire situation. The Human Capital Index reveals that a child born today will only reach 57% of their potential due to insufficient investment in education and healthcare. Kosovo's PISA scores are consistently below the OECD average, with only 15% of students demonstrating basic math proficiency.

The crisis goes beyond statistics. While 96% of children are enrolled in primary school, attendance drops significantly as they age, especially in marginalized communities like Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian children. Only 84% are enrolled in primary school, with upper-secondary attendance dropping to just 31%, compared to 87% nationwide. This educational divide threatens Kosovo's long-term social and economic progress.

The digital divide further worsens the crisis. Despite Kosovo’s high internet penetration, Kosovo ranked second to last among 35 education systems (35 participating Countries) in the International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS). Kosovo's digital performance is an absolute contrast to the 520-point average achieved by top-performing countries. In a world where digital literacy is integral to future success, Kosovo’s students, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds, are being left behind, unable to access the technological resources necessary to thrive.

Also, Kosovo’s education system continues to fail children with disabilities, many of whom experience functional difficulties but lack the necessary support to succeed in the classroom. This directly impact an estimated 8% of children aged 2–17 who face functional difficulties challenges, underscoring the urgency for an inclusive education system that accommodates all children.

Learning from Finland’s Successful Education Model

However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Kosovo can learn from successful education models and use lessons learned globally to transform a struggling education system into a thriving one. Finland—often hailed as having one of the world’s best education systems—provides a roadmap for Kosovo to follow. Finland’s success rests on three key pillars: early digital literacy, comprehensive teacher training, and equitable access to technology. By adopting these principles, Kosovo can start closing the gaps in its education system.

First, early digital literacy should be integrated into the curriculum from an early age, allowing students to acquire essential digital skills in a structured and developmentally appropriate manner.

In Finland, digital literacy is integrated into all subjects from primary education, focusing on coding, media literacy, and responsible digital citizenship. This approach helps students build a strong foundation in digital skills for academic and workforce success. Kosovo can adopt a similar model by incorporating digital competencies into core subjects and ensuring a gradual progression of digital skills at all education levels.

Second, teacher training must become a priority as effective use of digital tools in the classroom depends on educators’ confidence and competence. In Finland, teachers receive continuous professional development through research-based training programs, digital pedagogy workshops, and collaboration with universities to stay up to date with the latest technological advancements. Additionally, schools have pedagogical ICT specialists who provide continuous support to teachers. In Kosovo, many teachers still lack the necessary training to effectively integrate technology into their teaching. In Kosovo, many teachers lack the training necessary to harness the power of technology in the classroom. By investing in teacher capacity building programs, establishing digital mentorship networks, and embedding digital pedagogy into pre-service and in-service teacher training, Kosovo can equip educators with the skills needed to create engaging, interactive and technology enhanced learning environment.

Third, equitable access to technology is critical. In Finland, every student, regardless of their socioeconomic background, has access not only to digital devices but also to high-quality digital learning resources and well-trained teachers who can effectively integrate technology into education. Kosovo should ensure that all students benefit from a comprehensive digital learning environment by investing not only in procuring hardware but also in teacher training, digital pedagogy, and quality assurance systems. Sustainable investments in these areas will help bridge the digital divide and ensure meaningful use of technology in the classroom.

Implementing the roadmap will require significant investment in digital infrastructure, but it is an investment that will pay dividends in the long run. In 2022, Finland allocated approximately 5.5% of its GDP to education, while Kosovo's public spending on education was around 4.7% (2020) of its GDP. These investments highlight the importance of allocating sufficient resources to education to support economic growth and development.

What should Kosovo’s education system prioritize?

Kosovo’s education system is currently marked by declining PISA scores, deep educational inequalities, and a digital divide. If Kosovo is to unlock its full potential, it should prioritize inclusive education, early childhood education (ECE), and digital learning. These are not optional investments—they are necessary for Kosovo’s future.

Enhancing early childhood education (ECE) is crucial for building a strong educational foundation. As of 2023/2024, only 36.8 percent of children aged 3-5 are enrolled in ECEC in Kosovo, compared to the EU benchmark of 9 in 10 children (or 96 percent). Despite significant increase in investments in ECEC in line with priorities outlined in Kosovo Education Strategy 2022/2026, inequalities are striking in the enrollment of children in Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities, children living in poverty, and children with disabilities. Therefore, evidence informed budget planning and efficient utilization is imperative to reach the 45% enrollment target by 2026, as envisioned in the Kosovo Education Strategy 2022–2026, focusing on equitable access for marginalized communities and children with disabilities. In addition, to ensure meaningful integration and quality learning for children with disabilities, ECE infrastructure, learning materials, and capacities of professionals should continue to be strengthened, in line with Strategic priorities. Integrating digital tools in support of holistic development of children and achievement of competences, while aligning to the needs of different age groups, is also essential to prepare children for an increasingly digital future.

Kosovo’s future prosperity depends on its ability to equip its young people with the skills they need to succeed in a globalized, digital economy. Education is the key to unlocking this potential. By prioritizing inclusive education, early childhood development, and digital learning, Kosovo can create an education system that prepares its youth for success in an increasingly digital world, ensuring that no child is left behind.