Ei-iE

Albania’s public education system remains critically underfunded, undermining the quality of teaching and learning while leaving teachers with low wages and poor working conditions.

Despite repeated commitments to align with European standards, the government continues to fall short of allocating 6 percent of GDP to education, as set out in the United Nations recommendations on the teaching profession.

Against this backdrop, Education International (EI) member organisations in Albania— the Federata Sindikale e Arsimit të Shqipërisë (FSASH) and the Sindikata e Pavarur e Arsimit të Shqipërisë (SPASH) —have intensified their advocacy efforts through the Go Public! Fund Education campaign, with support from EI. Through advocacy, capacity-building, and direct action, the unions have mobilised teachers, engaged policymakers, and joined forces to push for greater investment in public education.

Jelmer Evers, EI’s Director for the European Region, the European Trade Union Committee on Education (ETUCE), emphasised that the struggles faced by teachers in Albania reflect a broader challenge across Europe, where insufficient funding, inadequate salaries, and growing pressures are threatening the very foundation of quality education. Evers commended FSASH and SPASH for bringing together stakeholders, shaping policy discussions, and actively engaging in social dialogue—a role that, he stressed, shows how teacher unions “can and will take the lead in education policymaking.”

“Teachers should not just implement policies that others have thought up—we are the experts, and we know what is best for our students,” Evers stated. He added that the determination of Albanian unions, alongside the broader Go Public! movement, is strengthening the fight for fair conditions across the region: “A victory for teachers in one country sets a precedent for others, proving that change is possible when unions stand together.”

Mobilising teachers and engaging policymakers

As part of the Go Public! campaign, both FSASH and SPASH have intensified union advocacy to demand 6 percent of GDP for public education, a key benchmark for Albania’s European Union accession process.

To build momentum, the unions have organised a series of advocacy initiatives. In 2024 and 2025, they hosted workshops, strategic meetings and community forums to empower teachers, mobilise community support and increase political pressure for education funding.

In February 2025, FSASH and SPASH convened the first Community Forum on Education, bringing together teachers, policymakers, parents, and civil society organisations. The forum facilitated a direct dialogue with government representatives, highlighting insufficient school funding, low teacher salaries, and the need for greater investment in infrastructure. Discussions reinforced the importance of transparency in education financing and ensuring that budget allocations directly benefit teachers and students.

The unions also organised a Policy Analysis Workshop to critically assess education funding policies and develop concrete proposals for reform. Participants examined regional disparities in education funding, and the negative effects of privatisation on public education. They also devised strategic advocacy plans, including engagement with policymakers, media campaigns, and direct action to ensure public education funding remains a top political priority.

Highlighting the urgency of the issue, SPASH President Nevrus Kaptelli stressed the need for immediate action, stating: “Education is the key to Albania’s future, yet it remains chronically underfunded. Our teachers deserve fair salaries, better working conditions, and the resources necessary to provide quality education. We call on the government to meet its commitments and invest in public education—because without strong teachers, there is no strong society. SPASH will continue to fight for the rights of educators and the future of our students.”

A stronger teaching profession: securing better pay and conditions

The chronic underfunding of public education in Albania has placed a growing burden on teachers, forcing them to work under difficult conditions with low salaries, overcrowded classrooms, and limited resources. Without urgent investment, the teaching profession risks becoming increasingly unattractive, leading to teacher shortages and long-term damage to the education system.

In October 2024, FSASH and SPASH held a national advocacy workshop in Tirana, bringing together regional union leaders and young educators. The event focused on strengthening grassroots mobilisation, training union activists, and refining strategies to push for increased education funding. Participants discussed the impacts of privatisation, low wages, and the lack of government investment in schools, developing concrete plans to escalate pressure on policymakers.

FSASH President, Shpetim Brahaj, reinforced the unions' determination to improve teachers' working conditions and professional status, highlighting the importance of solidarity and collective action: "Our commitment to improving teachers' working conditions and professional standing remains a priority. Through this project, we are not only advocating for fair policies but also fostering a stronger, more united teaching community. Collaboration at national and international levels is key to ensuring that education professionals receive the recognition and support they deserve."

From words to action: Unions consider mass protest ahead of elections

With national elections approaching in May, FSASH and SPASH are preparing to increase pressure on policymakers to ensure that education funding remains a top priority. In this context, the unions have requested the initiation of social dialogue with the Minister of Education, considering that the law does not allow legislative changes in the last three months before the elections. If this request for dialogue is not taken into account, the unions will be forced to take further steps, including a large-scale protest in front of government buildings, to send a clear message that education must not be sidelined. This will remain a last resort if institutions do not show a willingness to address their concerns.

EI’s Solidarity Fund has been instrumental in supporting FSASH and SPASH in their advocacy efforts, enabling them to organise workshops, strengthen union capacities, and develop long-term strategies to push for better investment in public education.

The Go Public! Fund Education campaign in Albania, part of a broader global movement led by EI, demonstrates the power of international solidarity in strengthening national struggles. By providing education unions with the tools to mobilise, advocate, and campaign for well-funded, inclusive, and equitable public education, the campaign reinforces the essential role of teachers in building more just and democratic societies through quality public education for all.