2026 

Development of the Concept for General Secondary Education

Status: Adopted (2026)

Strategy / policy background
The reform supports the modernisation of general secondary education and strengthening competence-based learning.

Description of the main measures
The Ministry of Education and Science (Министерство за образование и наука) adopted a new Concept for General Secondary Education aimed at modernising curricula and ensuring that the educational offer is aligned with national standards for student achievement and European trends.

Expected effects
The reform supports curriculum modernisation and the transition towards a more flexible and competence-based education system.

Sources
Ministry of Education and Science (Министерство за образование и наука).

Updated 15.09.2026

Optimisation of the school network

Status: Ongoing

Strategy / policy background
The Ministry of Education and Science is undertaking measures to optimise the school network in response to demographic changes and the uneven distribution of pupils across school facilities. The reform aims to improve learning and socialisation conditions for pupils while making more efficient use of existing school infrastructure.

Description of the main measures
The optimisation focuses particularly on branch school facilities with very small numbers of pupils. According to the Ministry of Education and Science, around two thirds of school facilities are branch schools, while they accommodate approximately 12% of all pupils. In around 100 school facilities, fewer than five pupils are enrolled.

The proposed approach envisages integrating such branch schools into larger schools. Teachers affected by the reduction in the number of pupils would not be dismissed. With their consent, teachers who no longer have pupils may be engaged as educational assistants for a period of one year.

The process is being carried out in cooperation with municipalities and international partners, including UNICEF and the World Bank.

Expected effects
The reform is expected to improve learning and socialisation opportunities for pupils, provide better learning conditions and enable more efficient use of school infrastructure and resources.

Sources: Ministry of Education and Science; Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia.

Investments in educational infrastructure

Status: Ongoing

Strategy / policy background
The Government and the Ministry of Education and Science are implementing a national investment cycle aimed at improving educational infrastructure and providing better and more equal learning conditions for pupils throughout the country.

Description of the main measures
The investment cycle is worth more than MKD 600 million (approximately EUR 10 million) and includes the reconstruction and improvement of school buildings, the construction and renovation of school sports halls and playgrounds, and improvements to school facilities.

The measures also include the construction and adaptation of school facilities in areas where there is a need to improve access to education. Particular attention is given to creating appropriate conditions for pupils with special educational needs.

The investment activities are implemented in cooperation with local authorities and other partners, with financial support from the Government and the Ministry of Education and Science.

Expected effects
The investments are expected to improve the quality, accessibility and safety of educational infrastructure, create more inclusive learning environments and contribute to more equal access to quality education throughout the country.

Sources: Ministry of Education and Science; Government of the Republic of North Macedonia.

2025 

Curriculum reforms, teacher training and strengthening inclusive education

Status: Adopted / implementation ongoing

Strategy / policy background

The reforms support the phased implementation of the amended Concept for Primary Education (Концепција за основно образование) and the introduction of revised subject curricula in grades VII–IX.

Description of the main measures

The amendments provide for history, geography, biology, physics and chemistry to be taught as separate subjects. The revised curricula were introduced in grade VII in the 2025/2026 school year. For the 2026/2027 school year, the Bureau for Development of Education published the revised curricula for grade VIII, including separate programmes for these five subjects. The phased introduction in grade IX is planned for 2027/2028.

Teacher training has supported implementation of the grade VII curricula: 5,230 teachers were trained to teach in accordance with the new subject programmes. This figure refers to grade VII and should not be interpreted as the number trained for grade VIII.

Work to strengthen inclusive education continues through support services, educational assistance and the development of rules and guidance for inclusive school teams and assessment under individual education plans.

Policy work has also addressed the quality of textbooks and teaching materials through the Concept for Textbook Development and the Methodology for Textbook Evaluation. These measures remain relevant as the revised curricula are introduced in successive grades.

2024 

Improving infrastructure and strengthening the education system

Status: Ongoing / Implemented

Strategy / policy background
The reform process continued to be guided by the Education Strategy 2018–2025, focusing on infrastructure, inclusive education and vocational training.

Description of the main measures
Reconstruction works were completed in several vocational education institutions, including the Regional Centre for Vocational Education and Training “Vancho Pitošeski” in Ohrid, while reconstruction activities continued in other schools.

The Government adopted decisions to establish two new regional vocational education centres in Strumica and Veles, aimed at strengthening the regional network of vocational education and training institutions.

Participation in dual education programmes also increased. In the 2024/2025 school year, 7,075 places were available in 283 dual education classes, accompanied by scholarship schemes to support students in vocational education programmes.

The reform process continued to be guided by the Education Strategy 2018–2025, which promotes inclusive education, improved learning outcomes and strengthened teacher competences.