Education in Albania under the Italian Occupation

Abstract

This paper aims to examine the role and activities of the Ministry of Education of Albania during the Italian occupation (1941–1943). By analysing official documents such as laws, decisions, and circulars, it explores how the Italian regime transformed the existing functions and structures of the Albanian School System to promote fascist ideology. The Italian occupation regime employed two strategies: the first was to create a positive image by presenting itself as a regime that supported education and sought to improve-the lives of the poorest members of society, hoping to gain the support of the Albanian people. The second strategy was to introduce fascist values and morality into the school curricula, censoring certain books, introducing new textbooks, and intimidating Albanian teachers while replacing them with Italian teachers and directors. With the onset of Italy's involvement in World War II, the Albanian education system suffered the consequences of the war. This article aims to address the gap in existing research in this field and provides valuable insights that can be used as a reference point for drawing comparisons with developments in education in many Eastern European countries after the Second World War, during the communist regime.