School donations must be voluntary, Moldovan parents told
Parents in Moldova are not required to contribute to class or school funds, pay for repairs or buy furniture, according to Ala Revenco, head of the Parents Solidarity Association.
Which expenses parents must cover
Parents are generally responsible for buying school supplies and learning materials for their children, paying for meals where applicable and covering textbook rental fees for high school students, Revenco said on Moldova 1's Bună Dimineața programme.
Schools should not transfer administrative costs to parents through compulsory collections for repairs, furniture or additional teacher payments. Any financial support from parents should be voluntary and transparent.
“When you want to make a donation or help a school, you do it yourself, without inviting other parents to take part in what you believe should be done,” Revenco said.
Parents who wish to support a school or kindergarten can make individual donations, provide goods or use official bank transfer mechanisms, she said.
Where parents can report demands for money
Parents who face pressure to contribute to school funds can report the matter to the National Anticorruption Center (NAC), local education authorities or the institution's administration, provided they trust that the complaint will be examined.
Screenshots of conversations in parent communication groups may help document requests for money. Parents should preserve relevant messages and other available evidence when filing a complaint.
Fines and legal deadlines
Revenco said people involved in organising unlawful collections could face fines of 2,500 to 5,000 Moldovan lei, equivalent to approximately €124–€248 at the National Bank of Moldova's official exchange rate on October 29, 2026.
The precise penalties depend on the applicable legal provision and the circumstances of each case. The expert also cited a 12-month limitation period for contravention cases, a deadline that should be confirmed against the applicable legislation before publication.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
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