The Ministry of Education, in partnership with UNICEF and the French company Veolia Environnement Foundation, on September 1 inaugurated the first child friendly schools in Moldova. The schools will work in Molesti village, Ialoveni, and Sofrancani village, Edinet, and will be attended by approximately 700 children, Info-Prim Neo reports. The partners say the rights-based, child-friendly school ensures every child an environment that is physically safe, emotionally secure and psychologically enabling. According to Minister of Education Leonid Bujor, these schools meet the European aspirations and lay emphasis on the quality of education and equal access for all the students, including those with disabilities. The school in Molesti was opened in the building of the former kindergarten. “There were built toilets and an autonomous heating system. We have modern teaching aids and new furniture. Staff members are friendly and welcoming to children and attend to all their health and safety needs,” said the school's head Lidia Bursuc. Maria Mosneguta, a teacher of English, said all the teachers were taught to implement new teaching methods. “The school acts in the best interests of the children, leading to the realization of their full potential,” she said. Veolia Environnement Foundation executive director Thierry Vandevelde said the opening of the child-friendly schools is the result of the three-year cooperation with the Ministry of Education and UNICEF. “We are glad to see renovated infrastructure, repaired roofs and refurbished buildings. All these will help develop a learning environment in which children are motivated and able to learn,” said Thierry Vandevelde. UNICEF Representative in Moldova Alexandra Yuster said these schools will become models for ensuring appropriate learning conditions that will improve the quality of and access to education for all children, including the deprived ones. The Child-Friendly School Initiative covers 440,000 students and 37,000 teachers from all over Moldova, who will be trained within the project during the next five years. There will be opened up to 30 child-friendly schools. UNICEF will contribute €45,000 to the project, while Veolia Environnement Foundation – €195,000. A child-friendly school reflects an environment of good quality characterized by several essential aspects: is inclusive of children, is effective for learning, is healthy and protective of children, is gender-sensitive, and is involved with children, families, and communities. The models of such schools are used in over 60 countries.