Grigore Munteanu, principal of the Chisinau-based Theoretical Lyceum “Mihail Sadoveanu”, who has over 40 years’ teaching experience, said the training level of students and the quality of the spoken language increased in time, but many generations will yet pass until real changes are felt. According to him, a change of mentality is needed in order to see veritable changes.

Grigore Munteanu has told IPN that he every day ascertains that the Republic of Moldova collapses as a state and he every time asks his pupils when they will come to draw a line so that we start ascending. “Moldova is a small country where we can live very well, but this is not possible owing to the current conjuncture, including the political one,” he stated.

The teacher noted that a change of mentality, behavior and speech is needed and this is possible as our Moldovans, when they go to a European state, comply with the rules of this state - they do not throw cigarette butts down and do not spit out sunflower seeds. But they do these things when they return home. A change is needed and this change should start with each of us. The laws should be implemented and enforced.

Grigore Munteanu stated that everything comes from the mentality, including when it is about the language. If each of us had been more demanding, everyone would have learned the language of this state and would have shown respect.

The teacher also said that a lot of Russian words are used by society nowadays, like “poka” (see you) and “davai” (bye). The teachers can be making effort, but more effort is needed in the family. A positive trend has been witnessed lately as emphasis is placed on the accomplishments of the students and the recent reforms, including those related to the Baccalaureate exams, significantly mobilized the students.