EU Funds Moldovan Plan for Modern Schools
Improving equitable access to quality education for all children, promoting an inclusive and digital learning environment, and modernising school infrastructure are the main objectives of a program launched on Thursday, March 28th, in Chisinau by the European Union.
The Ministry of Education and Research states that the Program "Promoting quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all", worth 10 million euros, is supported by the European Union and will be implemented from 2024 to 2027.
Education Minister Dan Perciun stressed that the project will strengthen the education system in the Republic of Moldova by investing in digitalization and the modernization of schools, as well as in creating an inclusive education environment for people of all ages.
"This project will help us to implement the model schools, that network that we have proposed to create, those 35 educational institutions that must become regional centres of attraction. The project will support us both in the digitalization of these educational institutions, and in making them more accessible. Together with UNICEF and UNDP, we will make investments in these educational institutions," said Dan Perciun.
The European Union appreciates the efforts of the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova to align its existing policies and practices in education with the systems of the member states of the Community bloc, said the Head of European Diplomacy in Chisinau, Janis Mazeiks. The official also said that education and research are a key objective in the country's European integration agenda, and the project launched will support these aspirations.
"Education and research are an important part of the negotiations for EU accession. The project we are announcing today will support Moldova and its citizens in this aspiration. Equitable access to quality education, ensuring that no one is left behind, modernization of the school network, continuous professional development," the diplomat said.
The European Union finances several programs in the field of education, such as the "Model Schools Network", launched in mid-February, which provides for 35 general education institutions in the Republic of Moldova to be renovated by 2025. This means investments in infrastructure, modernization of educational content, latest generation digital equipment, high-performance classrooms and laboratories, sports fields, transportation, and free food. The first 10 institutions have already been selected and will be renovated this year with the financial support of the World Bank.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
