Venko Filipche: Saddest start to school year — 3,000 fewer first-graders, 26 schools closed
Filipche says 14,900 first-graders were enrolled this year vs. 17,900 last year and blames emigration and rising costs; SDSM to propose €600 minimum wage.
Venko Filipche called the start of the school year “the saddest so far”, saying North Macedonia has 3,000 fewer first-grade pupils, 433 fewer class sections and 26 schools closed compared with last year.
Filipche, leader of SDSM, presented official enrolment figures at a press briefing and said 14,900 children registered for first grade this year, down from 17,900 the previous year. He placed the responsibility for the decline on emigration and government policy.
Economic pressures and emigration, says opposition
Filipche argued the fall in the number of first-graders is not explained only by demographic trends but by entire families leaving the country because they see no future, progress or economic support at home. He singled out rising living costs, fuel prices up more than 20 percent and the lack of state measures to protect citizens.
He said: "This situation is the result of an increasingly difficult standard of living, the rise in costs, the absence of measures to support citizens and the country's isolation due to the criminal policies of the authorities." The statement was directed at the government led by Hristijan Mickoski.
As a response to the economic squeeze and the increasing cost of the consumer basket, Filipche announced that SDSM will re-submit a draft bill in Parliament to raise the minimum wage to €600. The proposal foresees the state subsidising employer contributions for private companies to cover the difference so workers receive higher net pay.
Filipche added: "Simply put, workers should be able to provide a dignified life for their families. Otherwise, not even three minimum wages can reach the cost of the consumer basket."
Photo: press material from the event
