Study trip of Dutch teachers, AOb members, in Albania

A group of 8 teachers, AOb members, representing all levels of education in Netherlands, headed by the International Secretary of AOb, Trudy Kerperien, took part in a study trip in Albania, during 25 April – 2 May 2009.
The main objective of this activity were FSASH/SPASH activities implemented in the framework of the project they have with FNV/AOb, especially regarding child labour prevention and elimination, their role in education system in Albania, consolidation of their structures and so on.
Some of the main activities organised during the week of study trip were:

Meeting with Presidents and other representatives of FSASH and SPASH

Mr. Dobrushi and Mr. Kruja informed Dutch colleagues about the engagement of both Albanian education trade unions, not only about social and economic protection of their members and teachers in general, but also about democratisation and progressive development of the education system in Albania, children protection and elimination of child labour.
Dutch colleagues asked questions and after the answers, not only of presidents, but also other representatives of both trade unions, they expressed their appreciations on the work done and the vision that FSASH and SPASH leaders have for their work and mission in the future.

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Meeting with Deputy Minister of Education, Mr. Halit Shamata

Mr. Halit Shamata, Deputy Minister of Education, expressed his pleasure receiving colleagues from the Netherlands and spoke about the education system in Albania, new developments, problems, objectives of the Ministry and Albanian government, mentioning teachers’ salary increase, quality education, curricula improvements, considering very important the collaboration with trade unions and their support, especially regarding their engagement in avoiding pupils dropping out of school and elimination of child labour.
Dutch colleagues appreciated the work done and mentioned especially the importance of new technologies introduction, internet and other possibilities in the Albanian schools, which, for sure, will have a direct impact on qualitative education of Albanian pupils.
They also told about some effective practices of Dutch government in supporting trade unions in their valuable activities.

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Meeting with Director and specialists of Curricula and Teachers Training Institute

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Questions and answers was the main characteristic of the meeting in this Institute. How does curricula fit with new developments of  the Albanian society and labour market demands, the situation regarding services trainings, how problems related to pupils drop our prevention are included in curricula, what kind of publications are considered useful for teachers, the role of teachers’ trade unions in supporting the institute, especially vocational trainings were the main topics discussed in this meeting.
The Director of the Institute and specialists participating in the meeting expressed their opinions about all of these issues, mentioning also joint activities organised with education trade unions, FSASH/SPASH.

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Meeting with ILO-IPEC National Manager of in Tirana

Mrs. Etleva Vertopi, ILO-IPEC National Manager in Tirana, made a detailed explanation of ILO-IPEC role in Tirana and pointed out concrete and effective collaboration with education trade unions FSASH/SPASH. She mentioned some of the application programs, other training activities organised with education trade unions during these last 5-6 years, including activities organised in the framework of GAW, last week of April and WDACL, on 12 June.
Talking about publications, she mentioned SCREAM package and the Manual on Non Formal Education, which have been the basis of regional training courses in some 12 districts, with participation of more than 150 local trade union leaders from both trade unions.
Further support of the education trade unions in their engagement on child labour prevention and elimination activities was a request from Dutch colleagues, who also appreciated what is done in collaboration with them.

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Participation in the activities organised in Bathore schools, Tirana

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The activities in Bathore started with a meeting in the school Directory, where Dutch colleagues were informed about the actual situation, especially regarding school attendance, results, problems and so on.
Visits in the classrooms were really interesting. Participants of the group talked to the pupils, made pictures and changed opinions about teaching and learning conditions, activities organised, improvements needed etc.
In a meeting with teachers, not only from Bathore School, but also from other 4 schools where teachers are engaged in child labour prevention and elimination activities, also with pupils and parents, participants of the group were known with the work they are doing to prevent and eliminate child labour. The headmaster of the school, Ilir Bodini, trade unions representative Derall Tota, teachers Dilaver Lena, Mersin Terpo, etc, spoke about their engagement to reduce the number of pupils dropped out of school and eliminate child labour.
An artistic performance with recitations of poetry, singing and dancing created an emotional atmosphere for all participants in this meeting.
On behalf of the group, the International Secretary of AOb, Trudy Kerperien, distributed special gifts collected by Dutch teachers and pupils for Albanian pupils.

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Participation in the activities organised in “Ptoleme Xhuvani“ School in Elbasan

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A stop in “Ptoleme Xhuvani” school in Elbasani, on the way to Korca, took much more time than planned. The director of the school and teachers participating in a meeting, explained what they have done and are doing to keep pupils at school and give them all the possibilities of evident progress in learning. Parents appreciated the work done by teachers and promised to work together and avoid dropping out from school of their children. Pupils themselves expressed their satisfaction being back at school and continuing the lessons regularly.
Visits in the classrooms and informal talks with school director, teachers and pupils, were appreciated by Dutch colleagues, who distributed gifts for pupils of this school.

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Participation in the activities organised in “Naim Frasheri” and “Asdreni” schools, in Korca

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The Headmaster of “Naim Frasheri” school in Korca, Ylli Shahinaj, welcomed the visit of Dutch colleagues and spoke about the situation in their school, being focused especially in the work that teachers are doing with pupils, prevailing those from Roma community.
In “Asdreni” school was organised a special activity on the occasion of AOb colleagues visit. The representative of trade unions in the school, Mrs. Martha Xharo spoke widely about the work that teachers and pupils of this school are doing in the framework of the project that FSASH and SPASH are implementing in collaboration with Dutch trade unions FNV/AOb, mentioning also concrete results in child labour prevention and elimination. The head of pupils government Irini Sumbula, spoke about the work that children themselves have done and are doing together with their teachers to keep their schoolmates in the school. The headmaster of the school, Mr. Ylli Kreka, appreciated the work done by teachers and pupils and promised for more support in the future. Representatives from Roma Association appreciated what was done and asked for more joint actions with Roma pupils, involving also other stakeholders in the school and outside the school with the community.
A special artistic program was organised on this occasion, with wide participation of pupils from the school.
Again Dutch colleagues distributed gifts for both schools.

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Participation in the activities organised in Levan Roma children Kindergarten and “Dino Ismaili” school, in Levan, Fier.

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The activities in Fieri district started with a visit in a new kindergarten, opened in Levan village some times ago for Roma children, supported by “Terre des Home” and local government authorities, after a permanent request of this village families and the insistence of the respective Roma Association. Dutch colleagues talked to the children and educators, attended a short artistic program and distributed gifts to the children.
In “Dino Ismaili” school, also in Levan, organised a special meeting with participation of teachers, also from other 3 schools, Roskovec, Zhupan and Mbrostar, as well as pupils and parents from Levani.
The Headmaster of the school, Gazmira Bircaj, the representatives of the trade unions, Arqile Bitri, Maliq Shehaj, etc, spoke about their engagement and results achieved during these last 3-4 years of project implementation activities, not only in this school, but also in some other schools of Fieri district.
Pupils’ participation in the meeting was very active, talking about their role in reducing the number of pupils dropped out of school, asking questions and performing an interesting cultural program.
Dutch colleagues answered questions, appreciated the work done and distributed some gifts, collected by their colleagues and pupils in the Netherlands for Albanian pupils.  

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During their stay in Albania, Dutch colleagues visited the Museum of First Albanian School, Korca, and the Ancient towns Kruja and Butrinti.
Both chairmen, Dobrushi and Kruja, joined the group in all these activities and appreciated very much the role of Dutch colleagues in their relations with Albanian colleagues and Albanian pupils during their visits in the schools.