Albania, a country known for its rich history and stunning landscapes, has been steadily reforming its education system over the past few decades. While progress has been made, the Albanian education sector still faces several key challenges that hinder the development of quality, inclusive, and future-ready learning environments. From outdated curricula to a lack of infrastructure in rural areas, the road to a strong education system is still under construction.

In this blog, we’ll take a deeper look into the major obstacles confronting Albania’s education sector today.

1. Outdated Curriculum and Teaching Methods

One of the most pressing challenges in Albanian education is the lack of modernization in curriculum design. Many schools still rely on traditional rote-learning techniques, which often discourage creativity, independent thinking, problem-solving,.

  • Problem: Textbooks and content sometimes do not reflect the realities of today’s job market or current global standards.
  • Its Impact: Students may find themselves ill-prepared for higher education or the modern workforce.
  • Need: A shift toward critical thinking, digital skills, and soft skills in the classroom.

2. Inequity in Access to Quality Education

While urban centers like Tirana have relatively better educational facilities, rural & mountainous regions in Albania face a stark contrast.

  • Problem: Lack of resources such as libraries, laboratories, internet access, and qualified teachers.
  • Its Impact: Students in remote areas often drop out early or perform poorly in standardized assessments.
  • Need: Focused government and NGO initiatives to bridge the urban-rural education divide.

3. Teacher Training and Professional Development

Teachers are the backbone of any education system, but in Albania, teacher training programs often lag behind in both delivery. & content 

  • Problem: Many educators receive limited professional development after their initial certification.
  • Its Impact: They may struggle to implement innovative teaching strategies or handle diverse classroom needs.
  • Need: Continuous teacher training programs, particularly in inclusive education, digital pedagogy, and multilingual teaching.

4. Low Public Investment in Education

Although Albania has made commitments to increase education funding, public spending on education remains below the European average.

  • Problem: Insufficient budgets lead to poor school infrastructure, limited learning materials, and underpaid teachers.
  • Its Impact: This contributes to teacher migration, low morale, and compromised learning environments.
  • Need: Strategic and transparent increases in education spending, with a focus on sustainability and accountability.

5. Brain Drain and Youth Migration

A significant number of Albanian youth leave the country in search of better education & job opportunities abroad, especially in EU countries.

  • Problem: This migration leads to a shortage of skilled young people and professionals within Albania.
  • Its Impact: The country faces a cycle of underdevelopment, where education does not lead to local employment.
  • Need: Policies that encourage retention of talent and provide attractive career paths for educated youth within Albania.

6. Digital Divide and Technological Gaps

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed just how uneven access to digital learning resources is across Albania.

  • Problem: Many students, especially in rural areas, lacked devices, stable internet, or digital literacy during online learning phases.
  • Its Impact: This created learning gaps that may take years to close.
  • Need: Investment in EdTech infrastructure, affordable connectivity, and digital training for both teachers and students.

7. Misalignment Between Education and the Job Market

There is growing concern that what students are learning in school does not align with the needs of the Albanian job market.

  • Problem: Lack of vocational and technical education options; minimal career counseling in schools.
  • Its Impact: High youth unemployment and underemployment.
  • Need: Stronger partnerships between schools, technical institutions, and private sectors to ensure practical, job-ready education.

8. Limited Inclusion for Vulnerable Groups

Despite national obligation, children with disabilities, Roma children, and children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds often face barriers in accessing education.

  • Problem: Lack of inclusive classrooms, cultural barriers, and insufficient teacher training.
  • Its Impact: High dropout rates and social exclusion.
  • Need: Inclusive policies with dedicated funding and community engagement programs to bring every child into the classroom.

Conclusion: A Sector in Transition

Albania’s education sector is in the middle of a transformative journey. While the challenges are complex & deeply rooted, they also present opportunities for systemic improvement. A collaborative effort involving government agencies, educators, NGOs, and communities will be vital in building an education system that is equitable, future-oriented, and globally competitive.

With a strong focus on policy reform, investment, and innovation, Albania can ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed, no matter where they live or what their background is.