Economy
2027 budget: 93.6 billion lek for education, 1.1 billion more for student scholarships
Next year's draft budget raises education funding by 4.5 billion lek, with extra money for scholarships, the “After School” program and scientific research.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
November 1, 2026, 10:40 · Updated 19:04 · 1 min read
In brief
- Education gets 93.6 billion lek in the 2027 draft budget, 4.5 billion more than now.
- Scholarships for students in need get an extra 1.1 billion lek, scientific research 100 million.
- The “After School” program, with classes until 5 p.m., is funded with 500 million lek.
The 2027 draft budget allocates 93.6 billion lek to education, an increase of 4.5 billion lek over current funding, the Agency for Media and Information (AMI) said on Sunday, as cited by ATSH. The government says the funds aim to improve conditions in schools and provide more support for pupils and students.
Where the extra money goes
Priorities listed in the budget include an extra 1.1 billion lek for scholarships for students in need and 400 million lek for primary-school infrastructure. The “After School” program, which extends the school day until 5 p.m., will receive 500 million lek. An additional 100 million lek will go to scientific research.
According to the announcement, through these investments the government aims to provide more support for families, better conditions for children and more room for knowledge and the development of the younger generation.
Amid student protests
The figures come as students continue protests in Tirana that have gone on for more than two weeks. Prime Minister Edi Rama has offered students a 25,000-lek scholarship and a “new Pact,” and on Sunday he repeated his invitation to dialogue with students and lecturers.
The 2027 draft budget, which the government says exceeds €10 billion for the first time, is accompanied by a Fiscal Package that cuts VAT on basic foods but raises the standard rate and the dividend tax. The AMI announcement does not specify how the increase in scholarship funding will be distributed among students.
