Macedonia's Government has earmarked 144 million denars (about EUR 2,34 million) for students coming from poor families, who will enroll high schools across the county in the year 2012/13.

This year funds surpass those of 2011 for one third, Government's spokesman Aleksandar Gjorgiev said Saturday at a press conference.

Last year over 8.000 socially vulnerable families took advantage of this opportunity. Expectations are that this year's fund  will cover the needs of about 11-12.000 families, Gjorgiev said, pointing out that the Government is ready to provide additional means in case of higher number of applicants.

The goal is to attract more young people to acquire higher level of education and skills, which will enable them better possibilities for employment, the spokesman said.