By Gjekë Gjonaj
In the history of Albanian education in Montenegro has its place the distinguished teacher of his time Gjon Mark Gjonaj, (1930-1999) from the village of Rudina, Triesh, Malësi. He belongs to that generation of Albanian (highland) teachers graduated from the Normal School of Gjakova, the first professional pedagogical institution opened in Kosovo after the Second World War, whose mission was the professional preparation of staff for the field of education in the former Yugoslavia. This honored teacher personifies one of the rare names of Albanian education of that time in Montenegro, who dedicated more than 40 years to the education of generations in Malësia. He came to Malësia when he needed it most and stayed in his homeland for all the difficult times that Albanians went through to be persistent in his sacred mission,
Dedicated teacher Gjon Gjonaj with his work, with uninterrupted rhythms, a whole life of tireless work, he devoted himself to education and training in schools in Hot and in Triesh Lower, distributing rays of knowledge and education, spreadingpur knowledge and culture , remaining example of hard work, commitment and sacrificefICES and leaving deed behind. The villages where he worked in the threadm, along with other torches education veterans in Malësia, were without roads, without electricity, too SLUM and away from cities. In that time conditions were difficult. Working with students was by no means easy due to more than minimal conditions for the development of learningt. Nstudents u mungonin notebooks, pencils and other tools needed for learning. However ky missionary of education with a boundless consciousness, in difficult times, with all his being engaged in extinguishing analfabetism in the province of Malësia. He realized that the battle against alphabetism and cultural education of to the people is a national obligation, therefore with dedication conveyed the message of the eminent renaissance that “without school there is no knowledge, without knowledge there is no life”. His tact from a distinguished lecturer was to be admired.
Teacher John in school worked with the utmost diligence and dedication, alone that the younger generations of Malësia and beyond receive knowledge, culture and education. This tregon that we are dealing with man dedicated and important contributors in those incredibly difficult years in spreading light rays of knowledge for the population that needed Albanian literacy. For all those years he worked and contributed in education, kept the diary successfully and proudlyari. In sthis long wandering of light and knowledge snatched and conquered the hearts of the students. He gave them love and warmth, smiles and sincerity, pleasure and justice, learning and knowledge, skill and happiness. Deërtodeep in the spiritual and emotional world of the student. Always be careful not to hurt their emotions, and always control themne own emotions.“Before stepping on the school doorstep, forget about any personal and family worries you may have. Dedication and only devotion, patience and only patience, love and passion for the profession, that for you begins a long road and battle of light and knowledge. Always be responsible and teach students even life skills. You future teachers before you are a good and distinguished teacher, must to be good educators, to play the role of parent, psychologist, pedagogue, but why sometimes not even the artist” , teacher John told his new colleagues.
The fruits of workës of this meteor of education shqip in Montenegro beIN since from the generations he brought forth to emerge intellectuallyleaves and prominent personalities, who today are found in countries and states different of the world. For his successful work in the education and training of Albanian students in the school year 1i987 / 1988 on the occasion of marking the golden jubilee-100th anniversary of the founding and existence of the Primary School ” Gergj Kastrioti-Skënderbeu ”, as a pedagogueluar of this temple of education and culture was decorated with command of Labor. Even this prestigious award is a homage to his life, the model of the citizen of pious patriot and a witness to appreciate. Time gives everyone what they deserve, nsometimes late, but who leaves deed after itself, lives long.
This benevolent the perpetuated Albanian education has remained in the memory of the teacherand students. former COLLEAGUESt and alumniits stand out much appreciatione and talk to respect and the greatest admiration for this parable of our national education and culture, who left an indelible impression on them and the other people with whom he worked and collaborated. In their memoirs they mention him as the man who opened the gates of knowledge to them and helped them move forward in life. This is not a little.
The figure of this remarkable personality nin the field of Albanian education, even after death, is always respected and valued not only by education workers, but also byhow wide of the people. with his work gave a new dimension to my professionsuesit, as a man who sacrificedfor the future, sacrifice expressed in commitment to family, work and society. In experience his long life in education always was and remained principleof than to educate and of Teaching whole generations of students is effort and dedication, pleasure and love, honor and pride, but also great obligation and responsibility. ““The honor for the work you have done is the work itself”, said the philosopher US Ralph Waldo Emerson.