Provision of Education in non-educational institutions

Primary education is also organized and delivered in health institutions, penitentiary and correctional facilities, as well as at home, in accordance with the Law on primary education. The school organizes the educational process at home as a special form of work for students with longer home treatment. For students who, due to major health problems or chronic illnesses, can not attend classes longer than three weeks, classes are organized at home conditions, that is, in a health institution. The parent or guardian shall notify the school of the need for instruction of the student on long-term home or hospital treatment.

Primary education in health institutions and penitentiary and correctional facilities, is realized by the school closest to the institution and instruction is realized in the mother tongue of the student in these institutions and at home by the school where the student is enrolled.

International Primary Education Program (IB program)

An international elementary program may also be implemented in primary education (hereinafter referred to as: the IB Program), for which consent is issued by the Ministry. The curriculum and programs for the IB Program are determined by the Minister, upon proposal of the Bureau. The IB Program is of equal relevance as regular primary education. The primary school implements the IB Program in accordance with the IB standards organization pertaining to the organization and implementation of the teaching program. The primary school in which the IB Program is implemented may have a maximum of three classes per grade. The number of students in the classes following the IB Program is up to 24. For students attending classes under the IB Program, primary school organizes extended stay in first, second, third, fourth and fifth grade. The funds for implementation of the IB Program are provided by the Ministry, for which primary school submits financial plan every year by June 10 at the latest to the Ministry for the current school year and for the following school year. The manner of securing the funds are determined by the Minister. Primary school implementing the IB Program submits to the Ministry a financial report for the previous school year by 1 October at the latest.

The school implementing the IB Program (grade and subject teaching) is obliged within three years from the day of implementation of the IB program to be accredited by the IOB on the basis of which they will be granted the status of a World IO school. If the school fails to be accredited within the specified deadline it shall cease the status of IB school and the Ministry ceases to provide funds.

At least one quarter of the total number of primary school teachers employed in the primary school where the IB Program is implemented should have English language proficiency, at least at A1 level under Common European language reference framework, proven by a certificate.

Education of children of citizens who are staying abroad

For the children of citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia residing abroad teaching is organized in Macedonian language and culture, and for members of communities that speak a language other than Macedonian in accordance with international agreements ratified in accordance with Constitution of the Republic of North Macedonia teaching is organized. Instruction for the citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia who are permanently or temporarily staying abroad is realized by teachers who alongside with the qualifications stipulated by the law have to have at least five years of teaching experience, are distinguished in their educational work and know the language of the country in which they will teach. The instruction for the students should be conducted according to the curriculum and a program developed by the Bureau and approved by the Minister.

The children of citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia who resided abroad and returned to the Republic of North Macedonia where they started, that is, they continue their primary education, the primary schools are obliged to provide assistance to learn the mother tongue and the language of instruction. For successful inclusion in the educational process of these students the primary school where the student is enrolled organizes individual and group supplementary instruction to master the mother tongue and language of instruction to attend classes and to compensate for the gaps in the learning. The instruction for these students lasts for a maximum of one year according to a program prepared by the school and approved by the Bureau.

Education of children with foreign citizenship or children without citizenship

Foreign nationals or stateless children, refugee children, asylum seekers, children with recognized refugee status, children under subsidiary protection and children under temporary protection who reside in the Republic of North Macedonia have the right to primary education under the same conditions as children nationals of the Republic North Macedonia. Learning of the Macedonian language and Cyrillic alphabet for these children shall be organized alongside with the support for recovering certain learning gaps within courses of at least one year based on programs developed from the Bureau and approved by the Minister.

Children of nationals of the Member States of the European Union have the right to basic education on equal terms with children nationals of the Republic of North Macedonia. Children of European Union Member States whose parents, respectively guardians, are residents in the Republic of North Macedonia where they perform or have performed self-employment, i.e. who are employed or have been employed in the territory of the Republic of North Macedonia has the right to acquire knowledge of the mother tongue and the culture of the country of origin. The Ministry, in cooperation with the founder of the school and the state from which the student originates and, in accordance with the possibilities, gives support for the acquisition of knowledge of the mother tongue and culture of the country from which the student comes from.

Education of children who were not included in teaching

In accordance with the Law on Primary Education, all children of school age in the Republic of North Macedonia have the right and obligation to attend primary education. Measures are in place to ensure the inclusion of children who were not previously enrolled in school or who have dropped out of the education system.

Schools, municipalities and relevant state institutions cooperate in identifying children who are not included in teaching. The Ministry of Education and Science, in cooperation with municipalities, schools and other competent institutions, undertakes activities to ensure that all children of compulsory school age are enrolled and attend school regularly.

Children who were not previously included in the education process may be enrolled in the appropriate grade according to their age and prior knowledge. If necessary, schools organise additional support classes and compensatory programmes to help these students acquire the necessary knowledge and skills and to facilitate their integration into regular teaching.

Special attention is given to children belonging to vulnerable groups, including children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, children from minority communities, children with disabilities, children without residence status, as well as children who have returned from abroad. For these students, schools may organise individualised educational support, remedial classes and additional teaching activities in order to support their successful participation in the education process.

The Bureau for Development of Education develops programmes and methodological guidelines aimed at supporting schools in the inclusion and integration of students who were previously not involved in formal education. These measures are implemented within the framework of inclusive education policies and aim to ensure equal access to education for all children.

In addition, schools cooperate with centres for social work, local authorities and other relevant institutions to prevent early school leaving and to support the reintegration of children who have discontinued their education.