A new course called IT Essentials will be implemented in a number of high schools from September 1. It represents an introduction to information technology and gives fundamental knowledge about computers and operation systems as well as basic notions in the area of communication networks, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a communiqué from the Ministry of Education. The new course will be included in the curriculum under an agreement signed by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology and USAID CEED II (Competitiveness Enhancement and Enterprise Development) Project. The Ministry of Education is to set the criteria for selecting the 40 high schools where the project will be implemented. As many as 45 high school teachers will be trained to teach the new course within the CEED II Project. Minister of Education Mihail Shleahtitski said this course will ensure access to IT education of a high quality for a large number of students all over Moldova. Minister of Information and Communication Technology Pavel Filip said in this connection that the informational development strategy that is to be worked out is based on three pillars – development of infrastructure, development of content and teaching of users. CEEP II Project director Douglas Griffith said the information and communication technology plays an important role in the social and economic life, while its efficient use represents the key to success for sustainable development. An ITE course was taught in a number of colleges and high schools in Moldova as an extracurricular course in 2009-2011, with support from USAID CEED Project.