“After School” launches nationwide in September, offering creative activities after lunch and homework

In September, pre-university schools across Albania will implement the “After School” program, combining academic support with educational, creative, and recreational activities.

Beyond regular school hours, the program aims to provide children with a safe and welcoming environment where they can develop their skills, work together, and discover new talents and interests.

Specifically, after having lunch and completing their homework, students will take part in sports activities and group games, as well as drawing, painting, and creative projects, activities using recycled materials, and practical workshops. They will also participate in reading, recitation and literary activities, music, singing and cultural events, ICT and technology activities, science experiments and practical projects, environmental and nature-related activities, as well as group work, educational games, and activities designed to develop communication and cooperation skills.

Last year, the program was piloted in 47 schools—45 in Tirana and 2 in Kamëz. This new school year, it will be expanded nationwide.

Deputy Minister of Education Herida Duro told ATSH in an interview that the “After School” program will be implemented nationally, reaching more than 400 public pre-university education institutions. The program now has the full legal and organizational framework required for nationwide implementation.

“After School” is an organized and structured program of activities taking place outside compulsory school hours. Its aim is to reinforce learning and support the comprehensive development of students’ educational, social, sporting, cultural, and creative skills.

According to Deputy Minister of Education Herida Duro, the program will be implemented throughout the pre-university education system, becoming a sustainable model that serves not only children but also families and the wider community.

Duro said the program aims to address the fragmentation of existing initiatives such as Community Center Schools, Homework Support, Arts, Crafts, Sports, and others by establishing a clear framework for the implementation of the “After School” program.

Enkeleda Gorezi, principal of “Vaçe Zela” School in Tirana, told ATSH that the program provides students with valuable opportunities not only for academic support but also for expressing themselves, cooperating with others, and developing their skills.

Her school participated in the program last year, allowing students to use their time after classes productively through sporting, creative, cultural, practical, and technological activities.

During the new school year, students will remain at school according to their scheduled hours. Grades 1–3, which finish regular classes at 11:30 AM, will stay until 2:00 PM, while grades 4–5 and 6–9 will participate in the program until 3:00 PM.

Students will participate according to their interests and willingness to take part in activities designed for different age groups.

Gorezi said the program was positively received by parents, who appreciated the opportunity for their children to remain in a safe and supervised environment after school while taking part in useful activities. Parents showed particular interest in sports, creative, and practical activities.

After lunch and homework, students will take part in sports and group games, drawing, painting and creative projects, activities using recycled materials, reading and literary activities, music and cultural events, ICT and technology activities, science experiments, environmental activities, group work, educational games, and activities focused on communication and cooperation.

Last year, the program was piloted in 47 schools—45 in Tirana and 2 in Kamëz. This school year, it will be expanded nationwide.

Deputy Minister Herida Duro said the “After School” program will be implemented across the country in more than 400 public pre-university education institutions. The program now has the full legal and organizational framework required for nationwide implementation.

The “After School” program is organized and structured around activities that take place outside compulsory school hours, aiming to reinforce learning and support the comprehensive development of students’ educational, social, sporting, cultural, and creative skills. It will be implemented throughout the pre-university education system, becoming a sustainable model that serves not only children but also families and the wider community, Duro emphasized.

According to her, the program aims to address the existing fragmentation of initiatives such as Community Center Schools, Homework Support, Arts, Crafts, Sports, and others by creating a clear framework for the implementation of the “After School” program.

Enkeleda Gorezi, principal of “Vaçe Zela” School in Tirana, told ATSH that “this program is a very good opportunity for students, as it provides them not only with academic support but also with spaces where they can express themselves, cooperate, and develop their skills.”

“Our school was part of this program during the previous academic year. Through the program, students made productive use of their time after classes, with opportunities to develop their skills, talents, and interests through sports, creative, cultural, practical, and technological activities,” she said.

Gorezi emphasized that during the new school year, students will remain at school according to the scheduled program. Grades 1–3, which finish classes at 11:30 AM, will stay until 2:00 PM, while grades 4–5 and 6–9 will remain at school for the “After School” program until 3:00 PM.

Students will participate in the program based on their interests and willingness to take part in the activities offered for different age groups.

Gorezi said the program was positively received by parents, who appreciated the fact that their children could remain in a safe and supervised environment after school while engaging in useful activities. Parents showed particular interest in sports, creative, and practical activities.

“KORÇA BOOM”