– The recent Plenums of the Party’s CC—major steps forward in revolutionizing and democratizing the country’s entire life – In this regard, the quality of the cohorts admitted to these schools—that is, the way they are selected—undoubtedly has a primary effect. Thus, finding the fairest paths and the most appropriate procedures for admissions is an important social, as well as economic, pedagogical and scientific problem. Given the great needs our country has had in this field...

– Interview with the Minister of Education, Skënder Gjinushi, given to editor Avdul Dule – – Comrade Skënder, at the 11th Plenum the education authorities were given the task of seeking and finding ways to increase admissions to higher education. As we understand it, additional admissions are being made this school year. What is the pace of admissions and preparation in higher education, viewed in relation to the country’s needs and compared with other countries? – The 11th Plenum examined and approved the fundamental directions for the future development of our education, conceived within the framework of a genuine educational reform. It goes without saying that successfully carrying out these major tasks depends to a considerable extent on the role played by higher education, as one of the country’s most powerful intellectual centers and the only institution that trains cadres in general and teachers in particular. Improving the quality of its work is directly linked to the rapid development of our education and of the cohorts entering higher education undoubtedly has a primary effect. We must train cadres and specialists at an accelerated pace, anticipating also the expansion of the intermediate levels of education, such as secondary education. The high pace of the former and the relative lag of the latter meant that, for a long time, all students completing secondary education had the opportunity to continue at a higher school. In a sense, therefore, the selection of cohorts and the method of admission were “predetermined.” Later, secondary education expanded at a very high rate, especially during 1980–90, when the number of high-school graduates increased more than 2.5 times. Meanwhile, training at higher schools grew at more controlled rates, conditioned by the demand for higher quality, the country’s needs, and the students’ actual ability to complete higher education successfully and with dignity (we recall that even in many developed countries, regardless of the methods they use to admit students, there is one specialist for every 700— [the source text is broken here]). The expansion of secondary education has increased the prevalence of fictitious qualifications and made it more difficult to select candidates fairly. The further expansion of secondary education, which is projected to become education for all by the year 2000, will make both aspects even more pronounced. For all these reasons, and because of the democratic character of our school system, there is a pressing need to expand young people’s opportunities to demonstrate their ability to successfully undertake higher studies. – How is this problem expected to be solved in the future? More specifically, what will be done this school year? – There are three routes for admission to higher schools: open admission, admission according to criteria, and admission by competition. To implement the first, long-term measures must be taken to expand lecture halls, dormitories, teaching staff, and so on. Many measures have already been taken for this as of this year. For example, in September 3,000 places with dormitory accommodation at the university will be inaugurated, increasing its capacity by 50 percent. For the time being, the other two forms will be used. Specifically, some admissions will increase by 500–600 students, making use of existing capacity and the expansion of the co- [the text breaks off and becomes corrupted, then continues with an unrelated fragment:] A few days ago: – Do you have anyone in your neighborhood who has a problem? – I asked. – We do – Frani replies. – We have heard that the example of Iballë has been extended throughout the district in implementing the decision of the Party Central Committee’s 10th Plenum to complete the cooperative members’ yards. – As communists, we were ready to work to open up the new land required, since the district Party Committee Plenum decided that all the land needed to complete the yards should be newly opened. But our neighborhood is above the water [source wording unclear], and that was not accepted. We asked to open up this much land in the village, near the water, but again it was not accepted. So it has remained... – he explains. As this conversation shows, ful- ...of the country, by the needs and demands for higher quality, by the country’s needs, as well as by the students’ own real ability to complete higher education successfully and with distinction the method of admitting students they use, the ratio is one specialist for every 700–800 inhabitants, the same as here). Both these phenomena mean that the requirements for admission to higher education are increasing and, consequently, certain criteria are being established, one of the main ones being the grade average. These criteria, which in many districts of the country were initially only guidelines, gradually became more detailed and turned selective, which...

– The new economic mechanism does not provide ready-made solutions, but requires everyone’s serious commitment – The Repair and Services Enterprise in Durrës began operating on self-financing on July 1. The enterprise fulfilled its six-month plan. The concern was that the second half of the year would bring significant improvements in meeting the index targets, providing better-quality and timely service, and increasing employees’ incomes. A few days ago, 27 units of this enterprise moved to independent accounting, and now all its units have begun working in this way. But what changes have there been in these first twenty-odd days? What experience and problems have emerged? Here, it is recognized that the new economic mechanism is not a key that solves problems by itself. First of all, it creates numerous and highly favorable conditions and opportunities to move work forward, but people are the ones who will do that work. So everyone must be expected to think harder, work more persistently, take more initiative, and fully perform their duty without remaining indebted to anyone else—to themselves or to others. It seems to me that this spirit has taken hold among the employees. We spoke with workers, and they feel more involved; they are striving to become more closely engaged in their work, to reduce expenses and increase profits. Because they understand clearly that their incomes depend on these things too. The Council of Ministers’ decision on wages has sparked particular enthusiasm. But, they add, we will respond to this decision by mobilizing ourselves and working with quality (Continued on page 2)

We bring readers a brief excerpt from a conversation held a few days ago with Party member Fran Bala in Iballë, Pukë: – Is there anyone in your neighborhood who has problems? – he asks. – Yes, there is – Frani replies. – 10th Plenum of this CC regarding this solution. It has been decided, but it has not been implemented. Apparently, even in Iballë, which is considered better than the other economies, this task has been treated as a matter of choice—as something that may or may not be done. This shows a lack of seriousness. Is it not possible for the economists in each village to discuss the matter concretely with their fellow villagers, ... [text continues outside the frame] identify the site and implement the decision through a collective work action? Yes. Then what is holding things up? Nothing but negligence. The tasks are being carried out very well in the second brigade in Gjegjjan, led by communist Prend Kola; all the wheat there was harvested and stored in three days. The plan was exceeded. Now they are working to obtain 100 quintals per hectare across the entire area planted with maize. “All the ...” (Continued on page 2)

LETTER TO THE EDITOR With this quality, tomorrow you will not be able to sell it – To our comrades at the chemical plant in Durrës – We are a group of employees from the “Perlat Rexhepi” Agricultural Enterprise in Shkodër. Concerned about production, especially viticulture, we decided to write to you. The fate of viticulture also depends on the work done to protect it from pests. Specifically, we are referring to poor-quality sulfate. We informed its producers of this fact—the chemical enterprise in Durrës—and a specialist came from there, undertaking to carry out the relevant tests. But, to our surprise, we received the answer that it was of good quality! This happened just when we suffered a drop in production for this very reason. Since we received 160 quintals of sulfur from the Durrës chemical enterprise, of the same quality as last year’s, this issue was discussed; and, seeing that the sulfur had no effect whatsoever on production, it was decided not to use it. We complained to the ministry. At the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy, they received us well and assigned people to carry out tests in the laboratory of the institute under that ministry. In the end, the test results came back to us. According to them, the sulfur we had been supplied with did not even meet the minimum standard. In mid-June, a meeting was also held with the chemical enterprise. The conclusion of the two comrades who came from that enterprise was that we in agriculture are never satisfied with the work of the chemical industry! The tests say otherwise, and so does the production. With such poor quality, can they really enter the new economic mechanism and sell their products? BRANKO SIMONI, AGIM MUSTALI, MENDU MUSHANI, ANGJELIN KOLA employees at the “Perlat Rexhepi” Agricultural Enterprise, Shkodër

Pogradec is a city facing serious challenges in finding jobs for its young workforce. Nevertheless, among the enterprises in this district, some are offering notable examples of opening new fronts of work. At the Labor Section of the Executive Committee, we learn that the new enterprise producing knitwear and [jхunkht?] is moving toward expanding its output and range of products. Its managers, specialists and workers quickly rose to the new task of producing outerwear knitwear using customer-supplied materials. A portion of the production will be taken by the customer, while a quantity will be sold to buyers within the district. In recent days, several thousand newly produced blouses were sold in the Pogradec market. Sixty-two women work on this new production line. They are mainly young women with secondary education. Their professional training was completed within the enterprise. A further 60 work orders have now also been issued for the knitwear factory. (Continued on page 2)

The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, sent the following congratulatory telegram to the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mohamed Hosni Mubarak: “It is a particular pleasure for me, on the occasion of the celebration of your country’s national holiday, on behalf of the Albanian people, the Presidium of the People’s Assembly and myself, to send you...” “...my heartfelt [greetings] and the brotherly Egyptian people my best wishes for their well-being and for the prosperity and continued progress of their Homeland. I wish for the friendly relations and cooperation in various fields between the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania and the Arab Republic of Egypt to develop and grow ever stronger, in the common interest of our two peoples.” (ATSH)

Involved in the movement “As the youth are today, so will the Homeland be tomorrow,” the BR organizations in the Mat district have intensified their activities to serve the education and wholesome recreation of young people. At meetings and discussions organized in recent days in the towns of Burrel and Klos, and in the villages of the agricultural cooperatives of Baz, Bushkash, Kurdari, Shoshaj-Llis, etc., emphasis has been placed on raising educational activities with young people to a higher level, in order to cultivate in them a love of the homeland, etc. Organizing hikes and excursions to historical sites and tourist spots such as Qafështamë, Balzgaj, Ulëz and Lis has now become a fine tradition; there, young people take part in sports activities and other shared activities, etc. These days, six groups of young tourists are setting off on hiking trips to various tourist destinations in the district. (According to ATSH)

Cooperative members and residents of this town in Himara, as well as hundreds of holidaymakers from various districts of the country who have come here, recently watched with interest the play “Troubled Days” by Himariot author Odise Goro, staged by the amateur troupe of this town’s “Nasho Bodini” House of Culture. The play addresses current issues in the agricultural economy, in keeping with the implementation of the recent Plenum decisions of the Party’s Central Committee, as well as the optimism and determination of cooperative members to achieve the set objectives, increase production and raise incomes, in contrast to the incapacity and mediocrity of some managers and specialists. The recital concert by amateur singer Viktor Tahiraj was also enjoyable and well received by the collective at the Soda-PVC plant, where he works. He performed 12 songs with skill and warmth. (ATSH)

View of the new buildings being constructed in the City of Students. (Photo: N. Xhufka) View of the new buildings being constructed in the City of Students. (Photo: N. Xhufka)

Unity, vigilance and work, tireless work—this is what the times demand today, this is what the Homeland asks of everyone. RAMIZ ALIA

With its column “From Decisions to Implementation,” Zëri i popullit aims to highlight the work that has been and is being done by communists and worker representatives, under the leadership of the Party, to implement the historic decisions of the 9th, 10th and 11th Plenums of the Central Committee. We invite readers—workers, cooperative members, intellectuals, etc.—to share their views, positive experiences and criticisms of shortcomings they observe. The aim is that, also through broad social discussion and debate in the pages of the newspaper, the way may be opened more effectively for people’s initiative and action, more fruitful solutions may be found, action may be improved and those who are moving forward encouraged, while bureaucratic practices that obstruct progress are criticized. New momentum, creative strength and comprehensive mobilization are needed. There is no time for sluggishness and delays. The demand of the day for everyone is: move from words to deeds.