Secondary Police School "7 May": Only 11 Albanian students admitted
Only 11 of the 310 admitted cadets were ethnic Albanians; ministries point to standard selection criteria while opposition parties clash over representation.
The reopening of the Secondary Police School "7 May" has sparked controversy after only 11 students of Albanian background were admitted to a class of 310 cadets, prompting criticism from opposition parties and questions about the selection process.
Ministries shift responsibility; parties trade accusations
The Ministry of Education and Science said its role was limited to approving the school's accreditation and curriculum and that the decision to admit applicants was handled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Ministry of Internal Affairs responded that admission requirements were equal for all candidates and that ethnicity was not a mandatory field in the application.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs added: "In the public call for admission of students it was not foreseen that candidates should state their national/ethnic affiliation, nor did it represent a criterion in carrying out the selection procedure. Admission of the students was carried out according to the conditions and criteria set out in the public call and after completion of all prescribed phases of the selection process," the Ministry said.
Political reactions were immediate. Opposition party DUI claimed that, although 105 applicants indicated Albanian ethnicity, the low number of admitted Albanian students reflects failures under the ruling VREDI. VREDI dismissed those charges, saying DUI — which governed for many years — now shows concern about the position of Albanians only after leaving power.
The Secondary Police School "7 May" resumes operations after nearly three decades and will train future police officers who, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, will be chosen under pre-established and strict criteria. Stated requirements include medical and psychophysical fitness, minimum height and other vital physical parameters set by the selection criteria.
Authorities say the selection process followed the public call and its criteria, while critics call for greater transparency and monitoring of ethnic representation among new cohorts.
Photo: press material from the event
