Moldova experiences a shortage of teachers of exact sciences. The few specialists who remained in the system are of retirement age, while the young people are not interested in becoming math, physics and chemistry teachers. The rector of the State Teacher Training University “Ion Creangă” Alexandra Barbăneagră confirmed for RFE/RL’s Moldovan Service that the number of persons who enroll at exact teacher training specialties has decreased, IPN reports.

Alexandra Barbăneagră said that 93 persons graduated from the faculties of biology, math-informatics and physics-informatics last year. These courses were also graduated part-time by 110 persons. A number of 170 part-time students graduated from biology-chemistry courses, while 93 part-time students – from exact sciences-natural sciences courses. Only 40% of the graduates became employed. The University tries to make changes in these programs, but they are not attractive to young people.

The rector of the Moldova State University Igor Sharov told RFE/RL’s Moldovan Service that most of the scientists are of retirement age, while the young people are not interested in science. That’s why solutions should be identified to stimulate the training of math, physics and chemistry teachers.

The current year of study, the shortages in Moldova’s schools are filled again by retired teachers. The number of vacancies in educational institutions announced last September was 2,161, by almost 200 more than a year before. The shortage of staff is felt most acutely in the districts of Ungheni, Hâncești, Nisporeni, Călărași and Ialoveni.