Overview of the General Education System

Kosovo, situated in the Balkans and home to approximately 1.8 million people, has a complex history marked by conflict and political turmoil, particularly following its declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008. The country faces ongoing challenges in establishing a cohesive and inclusive education system, which has been hindered by a divided approach stemming from international interventions, particularly those led by the UN Interim Mission to Kosovo (UNMIK). Currently, Kosovo is undergoing significant reforms in its higher education sector, with the establishment of nine public and twenty-two private universities. Yet, persistent issues remain that impede the development of a strong educational framework.

The establishment of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) in 2002 marked a key milestone, which enabled systemic reform across all educational levels. The Kosovo Education Strategy Plan 2021–2025 further pledges to improving access to equitable, quality education. These reforms were also guided by the Bologna Process and aimed to align with European standards, resulting in the current structural system: five years of primary education, four years of lower secondary education, and three to four years of upper secondary education.

Public and private schools dominate the landscape, with a growing number of international and religious institutions. Currently, there are seven public universities and fourteen private higher education institutions. Primary school enrollment stands at 96%, and secondary enrollment at 88.1%, yet outcomes remain underwhelming, with low PISA scores and a 19.2% unemployment rate among post-secondary graduates. Literacy is high overall (91.9%), though disparities persist as male literacy is at 96.6% and female literacy is at 87.5%.

Pre-primary education is offered in three stages, from age one to five. Instruction is primarily in Albanian, though Serbian and minority languages are also used, reflecting Kosovo’s multiethnic composition. Educational institutions are regularly undergoing structural revisions, including curriculum modernizations and pedagogical upgrades, aiming to foster a more inclusive and competitive system. As Kosovo continues its efforts to integrate with the EU, education remains a critical domain for transformation and investment.

Compulsory education in Kosovo begins at age six and extends through the end of lower secondary education, which covers students from age six to 15. While pre-primary education, comprising kindergarten for ages one to two, kindergarten for ages three to four, and pre-primary class at age five, is not mandatory, it is highly encouraged to prepare children for formal schooling. The transition into formal education is marked by entry into grade one at age six.

Compulsory education is structured into two primary segments, the first being Primary Education, which encompasses Grades 1 to 5. This foundational level is mandatory for all children and focuses on essential skills, including literacy and numeracy, as well as introductory sciences, to ensure that students build a strong foundation for further learning.

Lower Secondary Education (Grades 6–9) is also mandatory for this stage serves as a bridge between primary and upper secondary education, which covers students aged 12 to 15. Instruction here expands into subject-specific areas and lays the groundwork for specialized learning. Upon completion of Grade 9, students have the option to continue to upper secondary education, which is not compulsory.

The transition from lower to upper secondary is based on student performance and preferences, and students can choose between general academic programs and vocational education tracks. The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology oversees curriculum standards, teaching quality, and school accreditation. Enrollment is high, with 96% in primary and 88.1% in secondary education, although the quality of education remains an area for improvement.

Language of instruction varies with Albanian is the dominant medium, while Serbian and other minority languages are used in communities where applicable. Efforts are ongoing to ensure equitable access and standardization of quality across regions, ethnicities, and school types. Although Kosovo has made strides in broadening access to education, issues such as rural inequality and resource limitations persist, particularly in early childhood education participation.

Kosovo’s higher education system includes public and private universities, professional faculties, and specialized institutions. As of 2023, there are seven public universities, two professional faculties, and fourteen private institutions, with the University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina" being the largest.

The system follows the Bologna Process and offers three main academic degrees: a Bachelor’s Degree, which takes three to four years to complete; a Master’s Degree, requiring an additional one to two years after obtaining the Bachelor’s; and a Doctorate (PhD), which is a postgraduate degree pursued following the Master’s.

Technical and vocational qualifications are also awarded at higher education levels, including associate degrees and professional certifications. Entry into higher education generally requires successful completion of upper secondary education and passing entrance exams set by individual institutions.

Governance and quality assurance are managed by MEST and other accreditation bodies. Institutions are expected to align with European higher education standards, with increasing emphasis on academic quality, labor market relevance, and inclusion. While the number of institutions has expanded, issues of underfunding and graduate unemployment persist, continuing to impact sector performance. International partnerships, curriculum updates, and digital learning platforms are recent areas of development.