Acting Deputy Minister of Education, Taulant Kelmendi, has labeled as “strange” the statements from the United Education, Science and Culture Union (SBASHK), which has warned of a potential delay in the start of the school year in September due to the ongoing institutional formation deadlock.
Speaking to Kallxo.com, Kelmendi characterized these SBASHK declarations as an annual occurrence before the new school year begins.
“Annual statements, public discourse that they attempt to initiate every time before the start of the new school year. It’s very important for SBASHK to do its job, to exert its pressure for improving quality in education. This is SBASHK’s duty. As for political actions, they are not a political organization. Their reaction is a bit strange, but by now, we are hardly surprised by their statements,” Kelmendi said.
Collective Contracts and Union’s Next Steps
Kelmendi also addressed collective contracts, stating that he has met with SBASHK and discussed the matter with them.
“The drafting of the collective contract is entirely one-sided. They know the reasons and details, now they have moved to another level, they are issuing political statements, a bit strange, but in any case, the legal avenues for drafting the collective contract must be followed step by step, and they know this concretely,” Kelmendi added.
On July 2, 2025, SBASHK announced it has begun preparations for holding an extraordinary congress, where it is expected to decide on the timing of the new school year’s start. According to SBASHK’s announcement, the extraordinary congress will discuss whether to initiate union actions, including a general strike, if the new school year does not commence in September.
