Tetovo first-graders left without promised 6,150-denar vouchers as revenues are seized by enforcement officers
Council approved 6,150-denar vouchers for first-grade pupils, but payment was blocked because municipal revenues are being redirected to settle debts.
The Municipality of Tetovo has not delivered the promised financial support to children enrolling in first grade for the 2026/27 school year, despite a council decision adopted in early June.
The Municipal Council approved vouchers worth 6,150 denars for pupils who register in the first grade by June 20, with the plan to distribute the vouchers at the beginning of July. Those payments have not been made.
Mayor cites Ministry of Finance restriction
Mayor Bilal Kasami told reporters he intended to carry out the payment, but the Ministry of Finance prevented the municipality from doing so because the municipality remains in debt. According to Kasami, incoming municipal revenues are immediately diverted to enforcement officers to settle outstanding obligations.
The decision at the council's 14th session in early June set the conditions and the timeline for the voucher scheme, but the practical implementation stalled when collections were automatically seized to cover creditors' claims.
Parents and school officials in Tetovo say families were expecting the agreed support before the school year starts. Municipal authorities have not announced an alternative plan or a new timetable for when the vouchers will be delivered.
Photo: SDK.MK)
