Moldova unveils major education reforms and multi-million euro plan
The newly formed Tofan Cabinet has unveiled an ambitious national education program focused on modernizing infrastructure, raising teacher salaries, expanding dual education, and boosting scientific research.
Minister of Education and Research Dan Perciun emphasized that the government aims to accelerate ongoing reforms while maintaining stability across all educational levels.
Comprehensive investments in infrastructure
The government plans to inject over €204 million (approx. 4 billion MDL) into primary and secondary schools, alongside €56 million for vocational institutions and €102 million for universities.
Infrastructure upgrades will focus on renovating student dormitories, modernizing science labs, improving energy efficiency, and expanding the school bus fleet with specialized vehicles for children with disabilities.
Early childhood and school education
The program sets out to create 3,000 new nursery places and expand resource centers to at least half of the country's kindergartens, ensuring early identification of learning difficulties.
A modernized curriculum and a new generation of printed and digital textbooks are scheduled for launch in September 2027, with a stronger emphasis on STEM disciplines.
To improve school safety, the ministry will roll out a national anti-bullying program featuring standardized reporting mechanisms and annual school climate evaluations.
Dual education and workforce alignment
To bridge the gap between academia and the labor market, Moldova will expand its dual education system across vocational schools and universities.
Annual enrollment in vocational dual education is targeted to reach 2,900 students short-term and 3,000 by 2030, while university dual programs will expand to at least 450 students annually.
To track long-term impact, the government will implement a system to monitor graduate employment rates at six, 12, and 24 months post-graduation.
Higher education and academic integrity
Moldovan universities aim to become more international by recruiting at least 3,000 foreign students annually and expanding distance learning for the Moldovan diaspora.
To safeguard academic standards, the government will establish a unified anti-plagiarism system and strengthen institutional ethics councils.
Competitive salaries and research funding
Teacher salaries will be incrementally increased until average pay reaches at least 120% of the national average wage, alongside dedicated allowances for teaching materials.
The government aims to integrate at least 500 young educators into the system annually, with at least 25% specializing in STEM fields.
In research and innovation, Moldova targets €20–25 million in cumulative funding through the EU Horizon Europe program, alongside €5.1 million dedicated to technology transfer.
Digital governance and institutional autonomy
Digital tools will be fully integrated into school administration, expanding electronic gradebook usage to at least 90% of schools and launching a dedicated mobile application for parents and students.
The ministry will also introduce a national framework for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in teaching, assessment, and management, paired with greater institutional autonomy.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
