TIRANA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least 52 schools and kindergartens in Albania were damaged by the Nov. 26 earthquake and no classes can be held inside these buildings, Minister of Education, Sports and Youth Besa Shahini said on Sunday.
The earthquake, measuring 6.4-magnitude on the Richter scale, hit Albania on Nov. 26 in the port city of Durres and nearby town of Thumane. So far, 51 people had died and 913 others injured in the quake, according to the Albanian Ministry of Health and Social Protection.
According to Shahini, in Durres region, which was worst affected by the earthquake, there are 16 schools and kindergartens seriously or slightly damaged, which need repair and cannot open for students.
"A total of 23 schools are seriously or slightly damaged in the Tirana region and they cannot reopen immediately. In Lezha and Elbasan region, there are 10 and three damaged schools and kindergartens, respectively," Shahini said.
The minister announced the suspension of teaching classes for Durres and Tirana region respectively until Dec. 9 and Dec. 5. The teaching process will start on Monday in all other regions across the country, Shahini said.
According to the ministry, the decision to suspend the teaching process also applies to private schools.
