91 classes in Veles opened under the minimum; third grade in Buzalkovo has three pupils

Local authorities in the Veles region say that the 2026/27 school year opened with 91 class groups that have fewer pupils than the legally required minimum. The figure covers seven primary schools and four secondary schools across the municipality and was confirmed by the Veles Municipal Council.

At Primary School "Lirija" in the village of Buzalkovo, the third-grade class has only three children — the smallest single-class enrollment recorded in the Veles area this year. In the Vocational High School "Dimitrija Chupovski", a first-year class for the butcher-baker trade enrolled just six students; the report notes that two local companies have guaranteed employment for graduates of that three-year program.

Rural branches and uneven demand for vocational trades

By contrast, at the state Secondary Vocational School "Kole Nedelkovski" the 34 available places for waiter and cook programmes were filled during the first enrollment period, reflecting continuing strong interest in those trades among recent primary school graduates.

One of the smallest school communities is the school in the village of Ivankovci (including its branch schools), where only 70 pupils attend classes. All 13 class groups there are below the minimum size. Low numbers were also reported in the branch schools in Sojaklari (15 pupils) and Otovica (only five pupils up to fifth grade). Primary School "Panko Brasnar" has the highest number of under‑minimum classes in the municipality — 19 in total; some are located in the branches in Bashino Selo and Karaslari (three each) and one in the village of Caloshovo.

Fewer under‑minimum class groups were found at Primary School "Trajko Zhinzifov" in Gorno Orizari (five such classes) and at Primary School "Blazhe Koneski" (four). Across the state schools in Veles, the "Kole Nedelkovski" school has one class below the minimum threshold of 25 students; the Gymnasium and the Chemical High School each have two such classes, while the Economic High School has four.

According to data from SVR Veles, 511 children born in 2020 were expected to start first grade in Veles on September 1 — 40 fewer potential first-graders than last year. Of those 511, 389 actually enrolled in school; 122 children did not begin first grade. This school year primary schools in Veles recorded a net decline of 72 pupils overall and eight fewer first graders than last year. Secondary schools saw a rise of 18 pupils in total, while first-year secondary enrollments dropped by 70.

"First-graders should look for a brother or a cousin so schools won't be closed," Janevska said.

Photo: СДК.МК)