Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Përparim Kryeziu, participated in the presentation of the findings of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2025, published by the Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS), in partnership with UNICEF Kosovo, the Swiss Cooperation Office – Embassy of Switzerland in Kosovo, the UN Development Coordinator’s Office in Kosovo, and UNFPA.

The event was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, Director of the Kosovo Agency of Statistics, Avni Kastrati, UN Development Coordinator in Kosovo, Stephen O’Malley, Head of UNICEF Kosovo Office, Veronika Vashchenko, as well as representatives of institutions, international organizations, and development partners.

Comparing the years 2014, 2020, and 2025, Prime Minister Kurti said that the data presented today give us reason to be optimistic, as Kosovo has made significant progress in many indicators related to the health, development, and well-being of children and families. He mentioned government support over the years for new mothers and child allowances, noting investments in early childhood education, support for early development and intervention programs, and more opportunities for youth through employment and skills policies.

The MICS 2025 findings show important progress in early childhood education and school readiness. Participation of children aged 3–4 in early childhood education has more than doubled, from 15 percent in 2020 to 36 percent in 2025. This progress is a concrete result of government policies and prioritization of early childhood education during the last full mandate.

Continuous progress has also been recorded in school readiness. According to the survey, 92 percent of children start school ready to learn, compared to 88 percent in 2020 and 76 percent in 2014.

Despite the progress, the results highlight that inequalities in access and participation in education still exist. In particular, participation in early childhood education among Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian children remains around 7 percent, while their school attendance drops from 83 percent in primary education to 27 percent in upper secondary education.

MICS is a global household survey program developed and supported by UNICEF, producing statistically reliable and internationally comparable data on children, women, and households. MICS 2025 is based on nearly 14,000 interviews conducted in 6,928 households through two separate surveys. The data can be disaggregated by residence, sex, age, education, wealth, ethnicity, and disability status, helping institutions look beyond averages and identify where inequalities persist. Its indicators can support policy and budget decisions, strengthen accountability, and monitor progress toward national and international commitments, including the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Ministry of Education and Science will use these data as an important basis for advancing education policies, focusing on expanding early childhood education enrollment, improving quality and inclusiveness, and reducing inequalities, so that every child has equal opportunities for development, learning, and success in education.