TIRANA, Dec 2 /ATA The Ministry of Education of Albania and the French government have signed a new MoU, aimed at strengthening the Albanian-French bilingual sections in schools in Albania.

Minister of Education, Mirela Kumbaro, accompanied by the French Ambassador to Albania, Catherine Suard, at a meeting with the French language teachers in pre-university education, emphasized the need to strengthen the network of bilingual schools in Korça, Durrës, Shkodër, Elbasan, and Tirana. She credited the efforts of the dedicated group of French language teachers for this progress and highlighted that learning French today is a valuable asset for the future.

“All meetings have been held with French language teachers, not only from the bilingual sections in Korça, Durrës, Shkodër, Elbasan, and Tirana, but with the entire extraordinary group of teachers who tirelessly contribute every day to the preparation of students,” emphasized Kumbaro.

Minister Kumbaro stated that learning French will offer numerous young people the chance to prepare for studying at the Franco-Albanian high school, which will have a scientific focus and is set to open in September 2027.

Kumbaro highlighted that French language education has been extended beyond schools, benefiting children and families who see its value for education and work. She also mentioned that preparations are underway for the Franco-Albanian high school, set to open in September 2027, with the law, budget, and programs nearly finalized and 95% approved by both governments and ASCAP.

Minister Kumbaro stated that the Franco-Albanian high school will be a public high school with dormitories, a cafeteria, modern classrooms, and laboratories. It will have a scientific focus, where subjects will be taught in French by French educators and in Albanian by Albanian teachers, particularly for subjects with a national character that are fundamental to the education of young people. It will be a school of excellence, open to all Albanian children, whom we must start preparing now, as well as to students from the region and Europe.

Ambassador Catherine Suard, on the other hand, expressed that the Franco-Albanian high school will bring French-speaking young people who will serve as a bridge between the two countries.

‘It is a privilege that the leaders of both countries, President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Edi Rama, have chosen to support this initiative, building on history while sending a message for the future. It is important that Albania also has a Franco-Albanian high school, which contributes to the Europeanization of education and brings French-speaking youth who will be a bridge between our two countries,’ said Suard.

The agreement signed by the Minister of Education, Mirela Kumbaro, and the Ambassador of France, Catherine Suard, aims to implement bilingual education at the schools ‘Raqi Qirinxhi,’ ‘Gjergj Kastrioti,’ ‘Luigj Gurakuqi,’ ‘Oso Kuka,’ and ‘Asim Vokshi.’

In these schools, up to 50% of the curriculum is taught in French, and students are awarded an international French certification through the DELF exam. Moreover, 20 other nine-year schools are supported in implementing this bilingual system.

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