The Ministry of Education and Science has announced a new textbook procurement plan for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year, ensuring students receive updated and usable materials. Minister Vesna Janevska addressed concerns regarding the condition of current textbooks and outlined measures to replace damaged ones.

Schools are instructed to report unusable textbooks through the ministry’s electronic system. This will trigger the replacement of these books with new copies before the start of the school year. Budget funds have been allocated to support this initiative.

Janevska emphasized the importance of efficient textbook commission operations within schools. She stated that commissions should accurately assess textbook usability and promptly notify the ministry of required replacements. This ensures that the necessary quantities are replenished in a timely manner.

Textbooks for first to third grade will be printed in full circulation annually, as these are workbooks intended for direct student use. New textbooks with updated content are also slated for seventh grade, aligning with revised curricula implemented in September. The decision to separate subjects like history and geography, and chemistry and physics, was made in response to public and teaching staff feedback, leading to new curricula and textbooks.

For the first time in six years, primary school students will receive textbooks for all foreign languages. This commitment, made by the new government last year, will be fulfilled by September 1, providing new textbooks for languages like English, French, and German.

New textbooks will also be available for select subjects in gymnasium and secondary vocational education. This marks the second consecutive year of timely textbook delivery, a departure from the previous seven years.

Janevska highlighted the crucial role of textbooks in the educational process, alongside motivated teachers, relevant curricula, and sound infrastructure. The ministry allocates approximately 660 million denars annually for textbook procurement. She expressed appreciation for all those involved in the creation, procurement, and distribution of these essential learning resources.