ALARMING – Education or Political Campaign?

In Lezhë, as well as in the entire northern region of Albania covered by DRAP Lezhë, schools and their representative structures (ZVAP and DRAP) – institutions aimed at fostering critical thinking and empowering students – have turned into platforms for political propaganda. This trend is not only deeply concerning but also a direct violation of the role of education in society.

Our research revealed the following data:

School Online Pages Used for Political Promotion
26 out of 34 public schools in ZVAP Lezhë focus their online activity on promoting political figures – the Prime Minister, the Minister of Education, and the Mayor. The posts shared by schools are mostly irrelevant to the respective schools and their communities of students, teachers, and parents.

ZVAP and DRAP Amplify Political Agendas
The Regional Directorate of Pre-University Education (DRAP) and the Local Office of Pre-University Education (ZVAP) engage in open political promotion, even sharing content related directly to the activities of the Socialist Party of Albania. These posts are not only inappropriate but also absurd in the context of education.

Why is this directly undermining our educational system?

• It Violates Neutrality – Schools should be non-political spaces. Using them for political campaigns erodes their integrity and trustworthiness.
• It Injects Fear and Pressure – Whether from fear, pressure, or blind loyalty, educational staff are becoming complicit in this misuse, leaving little to no space for independent thought and action.
• It Breaks Laws and Regulations – The principle of depoliticizing pre-university education (Article 8, Law No. 69/2012 “On the Pre-University Education System in the Republic of Albania” and the “Regulation on the Functioning of Pre-University Educational Institutions in the Republic of Albania,” approved by Order No. 31, dated 28.01.2020) prohibits political activities within educational institutions and clearly advises against involvement in political activities, both physically and virtually.

Our Questions

• Are these actions driven by fear and pressure on teachers or blatant party loyalty?
• Are educational representatives chosen not based on their qualifications but on their ability to promote a party agenda?

Our Demands

• An immediate review of suspicions of misuse of educational institutions for political purposes.
• Accountability for those who violate the principle of neutrality in education.
• A return to the core mission of schools: fostering skills and independent, critical thinking in the generations of students (not turning them into political followers).

Take Action!
Our Education System MUST prioritize students, not political figures. From your position, demand that schools and educational offices remain neutral spaces dedicated to improving the future generations of children and youth in Albania.

STOP POLITICIZING EDUCATION