Albania signs contracts for 50 Albanian language teachers in Greece
The first 50 teachers under the “Teachers for Albania” program have officially signed contracts to teach Albanian to the children of sizeable Albanian community in Greece. This initiative marks a historic moment, as for the first time, volunteer Albanian language teachers in Greece will be paid by the Albanian government for their work in preserving the language among the diaspora.
Why is this important: Until now, teaching Albanian in Greece relied solely on volunteer teachers, but this initiative professionalizes the process by hiring licensed educators. These teachers will work under a standardized curriculum, with free textbooks and learning materials provided by the Albanian Ministry of Education and Sports. This ensures structured and high-quality language education for Albanian children in Greece.
Context: This is just the first phase of a larger program that will expand to other countries with large Albanian emigrant communities, such as Italy. The goal is to help second- and third-generation Albanians maintain their native language and facilitate their reintegration if they choose to return to Albania.
During a meeting in Athens with the newly appointed teachers, Prime Minister Edi Rama emphasized the long-term vision of the initiative:
“This is just the beginning—the first group of pioneers heralding a new era for the Albanian language in Greece. We have learned a lot from this process, and we are committed to expanding it.”
Next steps: Authorities acknowledge that the challenge goes beyond just recruiting and paying teachers. There are logistical and administrative hurdles that must be addressed to ensure smooth implementation. The long-term ambition is to significantly increase the number of teachers, ensuring that every region with a strong Albanian presence has access to language education.
With this initiative, Albania takes a major step in preserving its cultural and linguistic heritage abroad, laying the groundwork for a more connected and empowered diaspora.
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