AADF and the Ministry of Education Reaffirm Their Support for the School of Directors Through 2033

The renewed partnership aims to prepare the next generation of pre-university education leaders and ensure the institution’s long-term sustainability.

Tirana, October 13, 2026 – The Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF) and the Ministry of Education reaffirmed their long-term commitment to strengthening leadership in pre-university education through the signing of an amendment to their agreement on the School of Directors.

The agreement establishes the framework for supporting and co-financing the School’s operations for the 2027–2033 period, with the aim of ensuring that Albania’s education system has a sustainable pool of trained and certified school leaders, while enabling the institution to gradually transition towards a financially sustainable model beyond AADF funding.

The signing ceremony highlighted not only the achievements of the School of Directors to date, but also the critical role that effective school leadership plays in supporting teachers, shaping institutional culture, and improving students’ learning experiences.

From a Joint Initiative to a National Institution

The School of Directors was established through a shared vision between AADF and the Ministry of Education to develop a professional, merit-based, and sustainable system of leadership for pre-university education institutions.

This journey began in 2017, drawing inspiration from Israel’s successful Avney Rosha model and adapting its approach to the Albanian educational context.

Following the Memorandum of Understanding signed on November 24, 2017, the agreement formally establishing the School of Directors for Pre-University Education Institutions was signed on October 4, 2018.

Today, the School focuses on the training, certification, and continuous professional development of current and aspiring leaders of pre-university education institutions.

Starting with an initial pilot group of 46 participants, the program has evolved into a nationwide model built around structured standards for training, assessment, and certification.

To date, the School has received 5,060 applications, with 2,495 candidates participating in its programs, of whom 2,110 have successfully obtained certification. In parallel, approximately 7,500 school leaders and teachers have benefited from continuing professional development programs.

The impact of this investment extends well beyond the program’s direct participants. According to project estimates, certified school leaders work in school communities serving approximately 15,000 teachers and 300,000 students each year.

Commitments for 2027–2033

The amendment to the existing agreement builds on the commitments outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding signed on May 29, 2026, and establishes the co-financing arrangements in accordance with the 2027–2033 Business Plan.

For this new phase, AADF has approved an additional budget of up to USD 2.1 million to support the School of Directors, in line with the objectives and projected needs for the 2027–2033 period.

Beginning in 2030, the Ministry of Education will assume an increasingly significant share of the School’s financing, in accordance with the levels established in the Business Plan, and will incorporate these commitments into its medium-term budget planning. The Ministry will also continue to provide the necessary office space and support services for the School’s operations.

This new phase seeks not only to ensure the institution’s continuity but also to address the future needs of Albania’s education system. According to projections for the coming years, approximately 2,450 additional trained professionals will be needed to form a pool of qualified candidates available for school leadership positions by 2033.

Expanding the pool of qualified candidates is intended to strengthen competition, merit-based selection, and the overall quality of leadership appointments across educational institutions.

Through this long-term partnership, AADF and the Ministry of Education aim to ensure that, by 2033, Albania will have not only a larger pool of professionally trained school leaders, but also a well-established, sustainable institution capable of continuing its mission independently over the long term.