SPASH CELEBRATES THE 20th ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDATION

 

 

The Independent Trade Union of Albanian Education, SPASH, celebrated the 20th Anniversary of its foundation, on the 11th of March 2011, in Tirana.

More than 130 former and actual leaders and activists of SPASH, as well as invited teachers from allover Albania took part in the event.

Vice Minister of Education and Science, Mr. Halit Shamata, the President of Union of Independent Trade Union of Albania, BSPSH, Mr. Gezim Kalaja, the President of SBASHK Kosovo, Mr. Ali Shabanaj, the Chairman of FSASH, Mr. Xhafer Dobrushi, high level representatives from the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Chances, from Educational Directorates, from Austrian School in Shkodra and from other branch trade unions, took also part in the Ceremony.

The Meeting was opened by the Vice Chairwoman of SPASH, Mrs. Bukuroshe Shabani.

Speaking on behalf of the Presidency of SPASH, Mr. Nevrus Kaptelli, pointed out that 20 years ago, on the 11th of March 1991, it was decided to be established the first democratic trade union in Albania, BSPSH, an important part of which was SPASH.

He mentioned all the names of  teachers’ representatives gathered on 28 March in the First Conference of SPASH, as follows:
Imir Kambo, Bujar Cani, Agim Lame, Fitor Muça, Hysen Daja etc, from Tirana;  Besnik Bekteshi, Qazim Lika and Xhelal Fejza, from Shkodra; Vasillaq Goga, Lluka Prifti e Bahri Dollaku, from Durresi; Ingrid Zaimi and Ismail Jolldashi, from Elbasani; Sali Dardha, from Berati, and may others from almost all the districts of Albania, as Bashkim Deliallisi, Taxhedin Shehu, Llazar Lengu, Enver Skendaj, Ermir Asllani, Vladimir Bardhoshi, Ali Kurti, Ymer Yzeiri, Apostol Nika, Sami Radiçi, Halil Gjongecaj, Alfred Dhamo, Eqerem Dyrmyshi, etc, who unanimously decided to be established the Independent Trade Union of Albanian Education, SPASH.
Mr. Imir Kambo was elected Chairman and Mr.Qazim Lika from Shkodra and Vasillaq Goga from Durresi, were elected Vice Chairmen.

The First Congress of SPASH was held on 12-14 March 1994, with participation of delegates from 24 districts of Albania. The Congress elected Chairman, Mr. Bajram Kruja and Secretary Mr. Ismail Jolldashi from Elbasani.

SPASH has effective collaborative relations with FSASH, as well as with SBASHK, Kosovo, and with many trade unions in the region and wider. It is member of Education International, EI, and European Committee for Education, ETUCE.

SPASH Presidency expresses its gratitude to AFT for the assistance given especially during its first steps as a democratic trade union, as well to the Dutch trade unions, AOb and FNV, for the assistance given for consolidating its structures, increasing the membership and child labour prevention and elimination in Albania.
SPASH appreciates also the assistance and the support given by BSPSH and its President, Mr. Gezim Kalaja.
It expresses its gratitude to the former leaders and activists: Enver Ballhysa e  Reihan Shkreta, Agim Çarçani, Pashko Sheldia, Loro Mandi, Nirvana Leka and Rajmonda Leka Mehmet etc.

Vice Minister of Education and Science, Mr. Halit Shamata greeted the participants and appreciated the contribution of SPASH in all the democratic developments in Albania, in the reforms undertaken in education system, as well as its role and contribution for protection of social and economic interests of its members and Albanian teachers in general.
He mentioned the personal role of the President of BSPSH, Mr. Gezim Kalaja and the President of SPASH, Mr. Bajram Kruja, especially regarding the effective collaboration of SPASH with Albanian Government and the Ministry of Education and Science.

Mr. Gezim Kalaja, President of BSPSH, appreciated the role of SPASH during these 20 years of its activities, being one of the most important federations inside the BSPSH, not only regarding membership, but also regarding the quality of services provided for its members.

The former First President of SPASH, Mr. Imir Kamba, recalled the first days of the foundation of this organisation, the activity of initiators and the role of SPASH in political and social life of our country.

Mr. Ali Shabanaj, President of SBASHK, Kosovo, spoke about the collaboration between both trade unions and appreciated the assistance given by SPASH, especially regarding widely involving of SBASHK in international activities.
 
The Chairman of FSASH, Mr. Xhafer Dobrushi, appreciated the collaboration between both education trade unions in Albania, FSASH and SPASH, mentioning joint Collective Agreements, Magazine “Tribuna Sindikale”, being published jointly, as well as some important activities organised jointly, especially in the framework of AOb and FNV projects implementation.

During the Ceremony, Mr. Bajram Kruja, President of SPASH, announced the names of many former and actual leaders and activists of SPASH, who were honored with Gratitude Certification by the Presidency of SPASH.

Informal discussions continued during the cocktail organised on this occasion by the end of Ceremony.