Structure of the chapter

This chapter provides a thematic and chronological overview of national reforms and policy developments in North Macedonia since 2024. The reforms are organized into the following areas:

• Early childhood education and care
• School education
• Vocational education and training (VET) and adult learning
• Higher education

• Transversal skills and employability

   

Government's key objectives for education

The Ministry of Education and Science (Министерство за образование и наука) coordinates reforms in cooperation with national institutions, municipalities, and international partners such as the EU, UNICEF, the World Bank, and GIZ.

For 2025 and the 2026–2028 period, the strategic priorities are:

• Modernising curricula across all levels of education to align with European standards;
• Strengthening vocational education through the dual education model and new legislation;
• Improving governance and financing mechanisms within the education system;
• Enhancing the relevance of education to meet labour market needs and the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans;
• Promoting digital transformation and the development of research and innovation policies;
• Ensuring inclusive learning opportunities and supporting teachers’ professional development.

Source: Ministry of Education and Science, Education Strategy 2018–2025 and Draft Education Strategy 2026–2032.

Key policy developments

In 2025 and early 2026, several significant legal and strategic frameworks were adopted or initiated:

• Vocational Education and Training: Adoption of the new Law on VET (January 2025) and strategic concepts for post‑secondary education;
• Adult Education: Implementation of the new Law on Adult Education (January 2025);
• Higher Education: Ongoing work on governance and quality assurance frameworks;
• Strategic Planning: Preparation of the Education Strategy 2026–2032 and the Action Plan 2026–2028.

These reforms are linked to the national commitments under the EU integration process and the Reform Agenda within the EU Growth Plan.