Regional seminar "Teacher Education and Training in the Western Balkans: Is it in line with the times? Is it effective?" is being held November 19-20 in Ohrid, focusing on the methods for improvement of the teachers' role in the education system.

The seminar, organized by the EU, is attended by representatives from education systems of regional countries and counterparts from the Central European states already in the Union, as well as Director-General for Education and Culture of the European Commission, Jan Truszczynski.

Minister of Education and Science Spiro Ristovski stressed the seminar represented an exceptional opportunity for exchange of experiences, as well as presentation of Macedonia's reforms in the field.

"The teachers are our biggest partner in the implementation of these reforms. They are today's objective, primarily the methods towards their motivation in improving the instruction process in general. I expect the conference's conclusions to result in regional trainings intended for the instruction staff", said Minister Ristovski.

He added that regardless of the country where they come from, the problems of teachers are similar, including intensifying the use of information technology, use of foreign languages and the methodological approach in transferring knowledge to students.

"All of this requires full and timely presentation of reforms and new teaching methods, so that teachers are the main partners in their implementation", said Ristovski.

He told teachers that no education reforms would be implemented by force or without their cooperation and support.