North Macedonia's Education Books Commission withdraws 14 Grade 7 textbooks

The Education Books Commission in North Macedonia has decided to withdraw 14 textbooks for Grade 7 of primary school. The decision, which takes effect immediately, covers materials for several subjects taught in Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish and Serbian. It was taken at a session held on 9 October 2026.

The list of textbooks no longer to be used includes a Turkish-language textbook by Osman Emin, approved in 2010, as well as books for subjects such as history, geography, music and ethics. The commission said the withdrawal was made under the Law on Textbooks in Primary and Secondary Education.

Reasons vary: for some subjects, new textbooks have already been approved, while for others textbooks are not foreseen under the new Primary Education Concept and revised curricula. The commission said the decision ensures legal harmony and uninterrupted education. Affected parties may file a lawsuit with the Administrative Court within 30 days of the decision being published on the Ministry of Education and Science website.