Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Secondary Education in the Republic of North Macedonia: Globalization, Digitalization, and Individualization – Comparative Perspectives

Vol. 5 | No. 2 | November 2026
Vesna Jovcheska
Faculty of Educational Sciences (Educational Policies and Educational Management), Goce Delčev University of Štip, Krste Misirkov No. 10-A, 2000 Štip, Republic of North Macedonia
DOI: 10.64370/LHXI6794

Abstract

This paper explores the contemporary trends, systematic shifts, and operational challenges in inclusive secondary education within the Republic of North Macedonia, analyzed through the conceptual triad of globalization, digitalization, and individualization. Drawing upon a comparative framework, the study contrasts the Macedonian model with the educational systems of Croatia and Serbia to identify institutional best practices, structural barriers, and potential pathways for reform. The implementation of inclusive secondary education in North Macedonia formally commenced in the 2025/2026 academic year, driven by the newly enacted Law on Amending and Supplementing the Law on Secondary Education. Because of its recent launch, empirical data on its long-term efficacy remains sparse. Thus, this study synthesizes early structural indicators, qualitative systemic readiness, and historical lessons inherited from primary education. Globally, inclusive education is driven by international conventions such as the UNCRPD, establishing inclusion as an inalienable human right. However, local realities reveal a persistent gap between progressive legal frameworks and systemic execution. This research highlights the critical need for robust regional support structures, standardized assistive technology deployment, and the shift from mechanical to authentic multidisciplinary collaboration during Individualized Education Plan (IEP) formulation. By adopting localized versions of Croatia’s de-centralized counseling model and Serbia’s mobile support networks, North Macedonia can transition from nominal, physical placement of students with disabilities to genuine cognitive and social inclusion.

Keywords: inclusive education; secondary education; digitalization; Individualized Education Plan (IEP); assistive technologies; regional resource centers

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