Kumbaro: Students will continue staying out late, so “smart city” is the right project for our schools

A new plan is being implemented for educational institutions across the country, aiming to completely transform the way children spend their time inside school environments.

With a strong focus on communication as the healthiest tool and on preventing problems, Minister Mirela Kumbaro announced a new cooperation and reporting system between teachers, psychologists, and security officers.

Kumbaro emphasized that the goal is not to monitor students, but to educate them in an inclusive environment. Schools are expected to become spaces that go beyond the traditional curriculum, offering opportunities for entertainment, creativity, sports, and various crafts through programs after official school hours.

One of the most significant changes is the extension of the time children spend at school, which will go beyond the usual midday schedule, continuing after 12:00, 13:00, or 14:00. This initiative, already tested through a pilot project in 47 schools in Tirana during summer schools, requires stricter control of facilities and increased security measures.

To achieve this standard, the minister said the aim is to combine technology with human supervision. The implementation of the “Smart City” project is seen as the right solution for creating safer schools, an initiative being closely coordinated with the Ministry of Interior.

PART OF MINISTER KUMBARO’S SPEECH

“We do not want to have children who are under surveillance. I want to say this loud and clear. But we do want to have children who are educated.

And precisely through a vision that sees the school beyond the educational curriculum, as an inclusive space where there is education, entertainment, creativity, sports, and crafts, as is the case with the after-school program.

This becomes even more important considering that children will continue staying in schools beyond 12:00, beyond 1:00 PM, beyond 2:00 PM. Therefore, ensuring control and security of these spaces becomes even more essential, as was the case with the latest pilot project involving 47 schools in Tirana during summer schools, where we extended the time children spend at school. All of these measures require a great deal of supervision and security.

All of this is happening because we want to combine technology with the eyes and presence of every individual. That is what security means. Smart cities need smart people. That is why ‘smart city’ is the right project for our schools.”

“KORÇA BOOM”