Pre-school education

Pre-primary education and care in North Macedonia is part of the child protection system and is organised to provide care, nutrition, early learning, health protection, and support for the intellectual, emotional, physical, mental and social development of children until the age of 6. It is provided through kindergartens, early childhood development centres and other childcare institutions, which may be established as public or private institutions. Pre-primary education is not compulsory. It is delivered in Macedonian and, for children belonging to other communities, educational activities in public institutions may also be organised in the language of the respective community. The main curricular basis is provided by the Programme for Early Learning and Development, which is based on the Standards for Early Learning and Development. According to the State Statistical Office, in 2023 there were 37 804 children registered in kindergartens and early childhood development centres, in a total of 117 institutions, representing an increase of 5.2% compared to 2022. In 2025, ongoing reforms focused on improving the quality of pre-primary provision, particularly through professional development of staff: 1 567 participants, including 1 384 educators and 183 directors and professional staff, took part in training on inclusion and learning environment.

Primary education

Primary education in North Macedonia lasts nine years, is compulsory, and is accessible to all children regardless of gender, social and cultural background, religion, ethnic affiliation, or physical and psychological abilities. It is provided free of charge in accordance with the national curriculum and funded from the State Budget. Primary education covers children roughly from age 6 to 14 and is organised in three educational periods: grades 1–3, grades 4–6 and grades 7–9. The system is based on differentiated approaches to teaching, learning and assessment according to pupils’ developmental stages. According to the State Statistical Office, at the beginning of the 2024/2025 school year there were 180 627 pupils in regular primary and lower secondary schools. The latest statistical data also show 955 regular primary schools in the 2023/2024 school year. Primary education is delivered in primary schools, while pupils with special educational needs may be educated in mainstream schools with support measures or in specialised settings. In areas with a small number of pupils, satellite classes operate within central schools. Regular primary schools fall under municipal responsibility, while the legal framework is set by the Law on Primary Education. In 2025, reforms in primary education continued through the development of new by-laws on inclusion, educational assistance, career guidance, self-evaluation and student protection, as well as teacher training for the implementation of the new Grade 7 curricula.

Secondary education

Upon completion of primary education, pupils may enrol in secondary education under equal conditions. Secondary education is compulsory and free of charge in public schools. It is provided in state, municipal and private secondary schools and aims to equip students with competences for employment and further education. Public secondary education is delivered in Macedonian and the Cyrillic alphabet and, for members of communities, also in the language and alphabet of the respective community. Secondary education is organised in four main strands: general secondary education (gymnasium), vocational education and training, art education and education for pupils with special educational needs. Vocational education may last three or four years. Students completing three-year vocational programmes take a final examination, while graduates of four-year secondary education may choose between final examinations and the State or School Matura, depending on whether they intend to continue to higher education. According to the State Statistical Office, at the beginning of the 2024/2025 school year there were 67 143 students in regular upper secondary schools. In 2025, reforms in secondary education included the introduction of career counsellors and practical education coordinators, strengthened support for students with disabilities, and measures to improve the organisation and quality of practical training.

Higher education

Higher education in North Macedonia is organised in three cycles: first-cycle (undergraduate), second-cycle (master’s) and third-cycle (doctoral) studies. It is provided by public and private higher education institutions and includes academic and professional study programmes. In addition to teaching, higher education institutions also carry out scientific research. Admission is open to graduates from general, vocational and art secondary education who meet the conditions set by higher education institutions, usually on the basis of prior achievement and the results of the State Matura, and, where required, an additional qualification examination. According to the State Statistical Office, 52 316 students were enrolled in higher schools and faculties in the academic year 2023/2024 in first-cycle studies. Higher education is regulated by the Law on Higher Education, while quality assurance, accreditation and evaluation are carried out within the national higher education quality assurance framework.

Adult education

Adult education is an integral part of the education system in North Macedonia. It aims to support social inclusion, employability and lifelong learning by enabling adults to acquire, update or expand knowledge, skills and competences for personal development, further education and the labour market. It also provides opportunities for adults who have not completed primary or secondary education, as well as for those seeking new or additional qualifications. Adult education is delivered through primary and secondary schools, open civic universities for lifelong learning, adult education institutions, employers and other providers. The Adult Education Centre is the main public institution responsible for the development and quality assurance of the adult education system. Adult education is regulated by the Law on Adult Education and the Law on Open Civic Universities for Lifelong Learning. A new Law on Adult Education, adopted at the end of 2024, entered into force in 2025. In 2025, a new Strategy for Adult Education 2025–2030 was also adopted, placing particular emphasis on wider participation, validation of non-formal and informal learning, lifelong guidance, outreach measures and the development of basic skills.