Mirash Ivanaj
Encyclopedia
Mirash Ivanaj was an Albanian politician, minister and school director, famous for his role in reforming education system in Albania.
Mirash Ivanaj was born in 12 March 1891, in Podgoricë
, in an Albanian fanily which had migrated there from Begaj-Triesh region. Ivanaj finished the high school in Belgrade
1910 and later went to Italy where he studied in the University of Rome where he laurated in two branches, in Philosofy-Literature and Law. In 1923 he came back to Albania where together with his cousin Nikollë Ivanaj, published the newspaper "Bashkimi". When the June Revolution of 1924 led by Fan Noli gave the power to the opposition forces in Albanian Parliament, Ivanaj left the country. He came back in the end of 1924 when Ahmet Zog returned to power. He was appointed director of Shkodër
High School and due to his growing reputation he became Minister of Education in 1933. At that period the education system was rather chaotic. Ivanaj tried to homogenize it. He began nationalizing foreign schools and Albanian government was put under pressure for his policy, especially from Italian fascist government. In September 1934 he introduced the new law on Education making elementary education as obligatory for five years. He created also various secondary education Institutes. The "Education Law", nicknamed "Ivanaj's Law" was the most important and complete law of Albania in that period. Its purpose was to create an integrated national educational system in Albania. In summer 1935 he resigned from his post when he realized that he could not achieved what he wanted with limitation of the budget for the education. He was appointed head of Council of State, a post he kept until the occupation of Albania from Italy in April 1939. Together with his friends Safet Butka
and Qemal Butka
he mobilized the Albanian students in protests prior to Italian invasion. When the country was occupied, together with Qemal Butka and his brother Martin Ivanaj, he left for Turkey. During his migration in various countries he lost his brother. In October 1945 he returns to Albania. Welcomed by Enver Hoxha
in the beginning and was appointed teacher at Tirana High School, an institute created by Ivanaj itself when he was a Minister. In May 1947 he was arrested and was sentenced to 7 year in prison on accusations of being an "Imperialist agent". He died in 22 September 1953 in Tirana Hospital during a simple operation, a few days from his release date.
In 1995 a foundation called by the name of him and his brother "Martin and Mirash Ivanaj Foundation", was created with the intention to promote education among Albanian youth.
Mirash Ivanaj was born in 12 March 1891, in Podgoricë
Podgorica
Podgorica , is the capital and largest city of Montenegro.Podgorica's favourable position at the confluence of the Ribnica and Morača rivers and the meeting point of the fertile Zeta Plain and Bjelopavlići Valley has encouraged settlement...
, in an Albanian fanily which had migrated there from Begaj-Triesh region. Ivanaj finished the high school in Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
1910 and later went to Italy where he studied in the University of Rome where he laurated in two branches, in Philosofy-Literature and Law. In 1923 he came back to Albania where together with his cousin Nikollë Ivanaj, published the newspaper "Bashkimi". When the June Revolution of 1924 led by Fan Noli gave the power to the opposition forces in Albanian Parliament, Ivanaj left the country. He came back in the end of 1924 when Ahmet Zog returned to power. He was appointed director of Shkodër
Shkodër
Shkodër , is a city located on Lake of Shkoder in northwestern Albania in the District of Shkodër, of which it is the capital. It is one of the oldest and most historic towns in Albania, as well as an important cultural and economic centre. Shkodër's estimated population is 90,000; if the...
High School and due to his growing reputation he became Minister of Education in 1933. At that period the education system was rather chaotic. Ivanaj tried to homogenize it. He began nationalizing foreign schools and Albanian government was put under pressure for his policy, especially from Italian fascist government. In September 1934 he introduced the new law on Education making elementary education as obligatory for five years. He created also various secondary education Institutes. The "Education Law", nicknamed "Ivanaj's Law" was the most important and complete law of Albania in that period. Its purpose was to create an integrated national educational system in Albania. In summer 1935 he resigned from his post when he realized that he could not achieved what he wanted with limitation of the budget for the education. He was appointed head of Council of State, a post he kept until the occupation of Albania from Italy in April 1939. Together with his friends Safet Butka
Safet Butka
Safet Butka was an Albanian professor, politician and nationalist. Son of famous patriot Sali Butka, he organized the student demonstrations in April 1939 during the Italian invasion and was interned in Ventotene. Upon his return he organized antifascist movements in his native region and was one...
and Qemal Butka
Qemal Butka
Qemal Butka was an Albanian architect, painter, politician, and postage stamps engraver. He was mayor of Tirana from 1935-1936 but departed from Albania in 1939 to live in Turkey and the United States...
he mobilized the Albanian students in protests prior to Italian invasion. When the country was occupied, together with Qemal Butka and his brother Martin Ivanaj, he left for Turkey. During his migration in various countries he lost his brother. In October 1945 he returns to Albania. Welcomed by Enver Hoxha
Enver Hoxha
Enver Halil Hoxha was a Marxist–Leninist revolutionary andthe leader of Albania from the end of World War II until his death in 1985, as the First Secretary of the Party of Labour of Albania...
in the beginning and was appointed teacher at Tirana High School, an institute created by Ivanaj itself when he was a Minister. In May 1947 he was arrested and was sentenced to 7 year in prison on accusations of being an "Imperialist agent". He died in 22 September 1953 in Tirana Hospital during a simple operation, a few days from his release date.
In 1995 a foundation called by the name of him and his brother "Martin and Mirash Ivanaj Foundation", was created with the intention to promote education among Albanian youth.