From this September, groups with extended hours will be organized free of charge in the schools of Chisinau for primary school pupils. The costs will be covered with funds from the municipal budget.

“The General Division of Education, Youth and Sports of Chisinau has issued an organizational order according to which the principles are to take particular measures to determine the number of groups with extended hours from September. This is done regularly in the first two weeks,” the Division’s deputy head Andrei Pavaloi has told IPN.

During September 1-15, the parents or legal representatives of children must submit an application to the educational institution attended by the child and ask for enrollment in the groups with extended hours. Depending on the number of pupils, a decision about the formation of the group is taken.

The General Division of Education, Youth and Sports of the Chisinau City Hall reiterated that any formal or informal payments from parents for opening classes/groups with extended hours are categorically prohibited.

The regulations approved at the beginning of this year stipulated fixed fees for groups with extended hours in the schools of Chisinau. Exemptions were given only to pupils from socially vulnerable families.

Recently, when the budget for 2024 was approved, the Chisinau Municipal Council allocated about 50 million lei for the organization of groups with extended hours in the first semester of the 2024-2025 academic year.