Minister Kumbaro Highlights Education Modernization Through Infrastructure Investments, New Curricula and Internationalization of the System

The Minister of Education, Mirela Kumbaro, presented the ministry’s priorities for 2026, emphasizing its expanded responsibilities to include pre-university and higher education, as well as scientific research.
Kumbaro announced that 42 new school construction and reconstruction projects will be completed this year, most of which began in 2025. These investments follow interventions carried out for around 70 educational facilities during 2024–2025, financed through domestic funds and European Union projects. The new schools will be equipped with modern laboratories and libraries.
As part of the technological modernization initiative, 317 smart laboratories have been installed in pre-university educational facilities, with the goal of installing 1,000 laboratories by 2027. Funding is being secured through a World Bank loan and a European Central Bank grant.
The minister announced a comprehensive curriculum review, nearly a decade after implementing the 2014–2015 education reform. The process began with the first, sixth, and tenth grades and will gradually expand until 2029. Specific changes are being introduced in subjects such as information and communication technology (ICT) and civics education.
A key project is the establishment of a new French Lycée in Korçë, which is expected to open in 2027 based on a bilateral agreement between Albania and France. The institution will offer dual Albanian and French diplomas recognized by the respective authorities and will employ joint Albanian and French academic staff. The educational program and the relevant draft law are expected to be submitted for approval. Meanwhile, training has begun for French language teachers in nine-year schools to prepare the first generation of students.
Similarly, a project has been prepared for the construction of a new campus in the historic building of the former French Lycée. Financing has been secured, and the construction permit is currently being processed through the Albanian Development Fund. Students will also have the opportunity to continue their studies at the Polytechnic University of Tirana, which has offered Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in cooperation with the Université de Technologie de Compiègne for the past two years.
On an institutional level, Kumbaro announced the transformation of the Diaspora Publishing Center into a National Agency for the Albanian Language. This agency will focus on standardizing and certifying Albanian as a second language for the international market and European integration.
Meanwhile, the law on higher education is being revised to internationalize universities and align them with labor market demands for the 2029–2030 period. Another reform includes creating a National Education Agency by transforming the Education Services Center. This new agency will operate using the British testing model and provide digitalized, transparent services.
The digitalization of the education system continues at all levels. Pre-university education now uses electronic registers, and this year, the digital system began to be implemented in higher education as well.