The President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski, began his elementary education in 1971, at the then “Dositej Obradovic” and today “Panajot Ginovski” school. It is at this school that President Pendarovski wished a successful start of the school year to about 70 first graders, advising them to read as many books as possible because, as he said, knowledge helps everyone.
“It is just as important to create as many friends as possible, because in life one is always more successful and happier if he has more friends around. I have no doubt that you, like me many years ago, will have lifelong friends”, President Pendarovski said.
The role of parents, as the President said, is to motivate their children to get better. But it is equally important for parents, he added, to stimulate their children to play outside with their peers and not to spend too much time at the computer or on the phone.
Expressing his tribute to the teachers for the hard work and attention they give to children, President Pendarovski stressed that they should always pay greater attention to the knowledge that children should receive.
“Best grades must be deserved. You know how to do it best. But, I want to ask you not to be too strict. Best grades should be deserved, but children should have free time while in school so that they do not feel the school and the teachers as something imposed or scary”, President Pendarovski said.
After the brief welcome ceremony for the first graders, President Pendarovski, together with the teachers and parents, talked to the first graders, who shared their impressions and experiences of the first school day. The President advised them to socialize and respect each other in the spirit of multiethnicity of “Panajot Ginovski” School. Diversity, the President said, is an advantage, not a handicap.
“Do not let this to be an obstacle in making friends based on ethnicity. Only
then can you be fulfilled and happy. And when you need something in your life,
even a good word, you may get it from the one closest to you, no matter if he
is Macedonian, Albanian, Turk, Roma, Vlach, Serb”, President Pendarovski
concluded.
