Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has introduced a new Action Plan aimed at enhancing safety in schools. While acknowledging that not every incident can be prevented, Rama emphasized that significant measures have been taken to improve security in educational institutions. He praised Minister Ogerta Manastirliu for her efforts in transforming the education system during her tenure as Minister of Education.
Rama referred to TikTok as the “neighborhood troublemaker,” criticizing the platform for promoting negativity and degeneration. He announced that TikTok would be banned in Albania for one year starting in early 2025, after which the government would reassess the situation.
Key Statements from Edi Rama:
- On School Safety:
“We cannot prevent every incident in schools. However, we’ve had extensive discussions about safety. The Minister has transformed the education system and has my full support. Teachers were once in a dire state, unprotected and vulnerable. Comparing the past to the present, we’ve made significant progress, though we are just at the dawn of a new era. This new plan will leverage our resources to ensure the safety of children in schools.” - On Modernizing Education:
“Today, we have smart labs for students. Soon, all schools will be equipped with smart programs. This initiative will be implemented so that parents can monitor their children through video, and school administrations can address any issues efficiently. These steps aim to strengthen and enhance the educational environment.” - On TikTok:
Rama likened TikTok to a harmful influence, saying, “It’s like the neighborhood troublemaker that children encounter outside the home. TikTok promotes harmful content, unlike the version available in China, which focuses on educational and cultural values. Instead, the platform outside of China is filled with negativity, violence, and harmful behaviors.”
He added, “We fear when children associate with such influences. Therefore, we will ban TikTok for one year. During this time, we’ll focus on instilling better values, such as programs to teach children about agriculture and interpersonal relationships, reinforcing the understanding that social media is not a reflection of reality.”
Rama expressed a deep concern about the impact of social media on children, criticizing its algorithms for promoting harmful content. He reiterated the need to prioritize societal values over such influences, describing TikTok as a metaphorical neighborhood troublemaker that needs to be ousted.
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