The Ministry of Education and Science has no plans up to date to postpone the start of 2011-2012 school year due to high temperatures, but doesn't exclude the possibility.

We have been in touch with weather experts, who say that temperatures will fall by the weekend, and if necessary we do not exclude the possibility to postpone the beginning of the school year, Minister Pance Kralev told reporters on Monday after visiting primary school 'Goce Delcev' in Skopje settlement Ilinden along with Vice-Premier for Economic Affairs Vladimir Pesevski.

Installing of air-conditioning systems in schools should be taken in consideration in future investment plans, especially for the those located in urban areas, Kralev said.

In 2012, the government plans to double finances for overhaul and construction of new school buildings, Pesevski said.

The Vice PM said one of government's top five strategic priorities was to advance the education process and remained committed to investing in education.

The construction of a modular high school will be launched in September in the municipality of Ilinden. Denar 15.5 million have been invested in renovation and modernization of municipal elementary schools. Funds have been provided by the Ministry of Education and Science, the municipality and donations.

Minister Kralev said the government would support those municipalities that were to reconstruct schools in the future.

"Hopefully, a period of intensive overhaul and construction of new school buildings is ahead of us," he added.