BIRC REPORT: EDUCATION IN CRISIS, EXPERTS CALL FOR DEPOLITICIZATION AND DEEP REFORMS
Author: M-r Bardhyl Zaimi
The education system in North Macedonia has repeatedly struggled to withstand the numerous political turbulences of the transition period, party influences, and other pressures that have significantly lowered the overall quality of education. Despite its importance, the country has yet to establish a coherent system capable of meeting the professional standards and dedication required in this sector. Instead, education policies have often relied on ad hoc solutions, improvisations, and short-term measures rather than comprehensive, well-planned reforms grounded in legislation, professional expertise, and long-term strategic vision aligned with global developments.
Over thirty years into the transition, North Macedonia continues to face deep challenges in shifting from politically driven, short-term reforms toward sustainable, expert-led reform processes. This is particularly critical in higher education, where politicization and lack of continuity have undermined trust, quality, and efficiency in the system.
Experts in education highlight that one of the main obstacles to meaningful reforms in higher education is the absence of broad and sustained political consensus that can safeguard long-term strategies from day-to-day political interference. Regional experiences, such as Slovenia’s model, show that successful structural reforms rely on policy continuity, active engagement of the academic community, and long-term support from state institutions.
In response, North Macedonia has taken concrete steps, establishing the National Coordinating Body for Higher Education Reform on November 6, 2024. This comprehensive entity brings together representatives from state institutions, universities, business, and civil society, with a mandate to restore quality, standardization, and investment in science and research. The body aims to launch deep structural reforms and develop concrete proposals to improve the education system over the next 18 months.
However, challenges remain significant. European Commission reports for 2023 and 2024, along with analyses from international organizations such as UNDP and OECD/SIGMA, point to persistent gaps in technical and human capacities, politicization of universities, and fragmented legislation as key barriers to consolidating reforms in higher education. Experts warn that without addressing these obstacles, North Macedonia will continue to struggle in building depoliticized, independent, and accountable institutions that respond effectively to the academic community and society at large.
This text was prepared under the project “Representation for Inclusive Development”, financially supported by the Government of Switzerland through the Civica Mobilitas program. The content of this text is the sole responsibility of the Forum for Reasonable Policies, IOHN, and BIRC, and in no way should it be taken to reflect the views of the Government of Switzerland, Civica Mobilitas, or its implementing organizations.