By 1,000 children annually leave the education system of Chisinau starting with 2008. For the first time this year, the local authorities announced that there are not enough students for forming lyceum classes. Tatiana Nagnibeda-Tverdohleb, the head of the Chisinau General Division of Education, Youth and Sport, in an interview for Radio Free Europe said 428 children left in June, 20 children left in July and leaving documents are daily signed in August and this is worrisome, IPN reports.

“Why do the families leave? Why do the children leave? They leave together with their parents and it’s good that they are there together with the family and enjoy better living standards,” stated Tatiana Nagnibeda-Tverdohleb.

At the first stage, lyceum classes were formed by contest in only ten institutions. “More such classes could be yet formed in another about 20 lyceums of the 80. There are lyceums with eight children in a class,” said the official. If the lyceums do not have enough students during several years, they suggest changing the status of the institution from lyceum to secondary school.

As regards the teachers, Tatiana Nagnibeda-Tverdohleb said there is no shortage of staff at the Chisinau schools, but there are not enough educators at kindergartens. About 400 educators are still needed now.