The Ministry of Education and Science and ZELS have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the socially responsible companies Bambi and Pivara Skopje, according to which more than 21,000 first graders starting their education on September 1 will receive gift packages containing products from Plazma and Rosa.

In this way, ZELS, the Ministry of Education and Science, and the companies with social responsibility through their brands wish a successful start to the youngest students, marking this important moment in their lives.

The Minister of Education and Science, Vesna Janevska, expressed gratitude to the socially responsible companies for showing care for first graders.

“The beginning of the school year is a special and unforgettable moment for first graders. It’s their first time entering school, meeting teachers and new friends, starting to learn, discover, cooperate, and become responsible. These initiatives show the youngest that the broader community supports and encourages them,” said Minister Janevska.

The President of ZELS, Orce Gjorgievski, stated that taking care of students is one of the primary responsibilities of the municipalities as founders of schools.

“Mayors united in ZELS, along with all of us as parents and citizens, want first graders to have good memories of their first school day. Together with companies investing in the community, we want first graders to start school with joy, and this is a good message that they matter to us,” emphasized Gjorgievski.

The Business Development Director at Bambi, Milica Shetka, said she was happy that Plazma had returned to a state after the challenges faced due to the fire at the factory in Pozarevac, which had halted production.

“For us at Bambi, supporting the youngest has always been a priority, especially at important life moments like starting school. We are especially glad that, after the challenges we faced due to the fire in our Pozarevac factory, we are here again – with an initiative that brings joy. We want these gifts to be a symbol of encouragement and support for every child starting their journey into the world of education. Our goal is for this initiative to become a tradition in Macedonia, just as it already is in Serbia,” said Shetka.

The brand Rosa, dedicated to healthy growth, joined this initiative.

“We deeply believe that every child deserves to start the school year with a smile, support, and attention. As a company that grows together with the community, we are aware of how important it is for first graders to feel the support from all of us. That’s why, through the Rosa brand, we have become part of this initiative – to show that we believe in future generations and that we are with them every step of the way,” said Ognјen Lazic, General Director of Pivara Skopje.

The gift packages, which contain a backpack, class schedule, puzzle, Plazma biscuits, and a bottle of Rosa, will be distributed to all primary schools across the country to greet the first graders on September 1.