The network of schools and kindergartens in the municipality of Chisinau is the biggest in the county and necessitates massive investments. Over 3.8 billion lei was allocated for education in 2023, said deputy mayor of Chisinau Angela Kutasevich. According to her, the number of students in the municipality of Chisinau continues to grow and the local authorities are making effort to extend the network of schools, IPN reports.
The 2023 municipal budget provides for revenues of 6.7 billion lei and an expenditure of 7.3 billion lei. The largest amount of the municipal budget allocations – over 3.8 billion lei – was earmarked for education. The deputy mayor noted the network of schools and kindergartens in the capital city is the largest in the country and requires additional investments.
“The sum was allocated for salaries. Also, a part of the costs will go to maintain schools, to develop them. In 2019, the investment in the school network was 47 million lei, while in 2022 the sum rose to 200 million lei. These investments are not yet sufficient as the needs of the education sector are very big and many in number and the school network is very big, the largest in the Republic of Moldova,” Angela Kutasevich stated in the program “Reflection Points” on Vocea Basarabiei channel.
According to the deputy mayor, there are 332 schools in the municipality of Chisinau and 151 of them are lyceums. As many as 99,220 students were enrolled at educational instructions. Compared with the institutions from districts, the capital city sees a constant growth in the number of students.
“We have a constant growth in the number of students, of over 2,500 yearly, and this is gladdening. At the same time, the rise in the number of students necessitates a greater involvement, the extension of the school network so that we ensure good conditions for everyone. At present, the spaces in the existing schools are being extended and used. For example, the classrooms that were earlier not used are renovated and used. The spaces that were earlier leased out to other entities are now transferred back under public management and are repaired and offered to schools,” said Angela Kutasevich.
The deputy mayor noted that over 10,000 teachers work in the municipality of Chisinau and the young teaching staff receives benefits from the Government and the Chisinau City Hall for being encouraged to remain in the system.
“The number of new employees the last few years has increased. We have over 1,400 new teachers, educators. These are employees who came from other territorial units and young specialists. The shortage of teachers persists. About 400 teachers are now needed in schools and kindergartens, plus 300 unfilled auxiliary personnel units. As the number of employees is high, the shortage of staff is covered by cumulating lessons or by extending the program. For young specialists, there is the governmental program that offers 120,000 lei during the first three years. They also benefit from concessions from the municipality. We pay 2,000 lei rent to them. We offer subsidies for heat and electricity,” stated Angela Kutasevich.
