The unpaid leave is not a solution for the parents who do not have who to leave their children with while the educational process is suspended, Carolina Chirilescu, manager and moderator of the virtual platform of the public association “Solidary Parents”, stated for IPN.
Carolina Chirilescu noted that in the Republic of Moldova, where the parents work for miserable salaries, the unpaid leave is not a solution. It is hard for some of the parents to cope with the situation now that the educational process was interrupted. Those who do not have grandparents, relatives, reliable persons who can stay with their children have to take the kids to work these days, exposing them to the risk of infection with COVID-19 this way.
Another category of parents choose to leave the children home alone. This is as risky as the children are inventive and an ordinary game can sometimes lead to serious consequences out of inattention, while the parents, travelling to work by public transport, in crowdedness, do not reduce the risk of infection somehow, stated Carolina Chirilescu.
The members of the association “Solidary Parents” agree with the authorities’ decision to stop the educational process in schools and kindergartens as such a move is necessary in the current situation, but note that the authorities should suggest solutions for parents who do not have who to leave their children with these days, said the platform’s moderator.
In a press briefing earlier today, Minister of Health Viorica Dumbrăveanu stated that the closing of schools and kindergartens was a necessary measure because the children need to be protected from infection. As regards the dissatisfaction of the parents who do not have trustworthy persons who could look after their children, the minister said the legislation stipulates a number of options, such as paid leave, unpaid leave or a flexible work program. “In summer, we have kindergartens that are closed for the period of repair works and the parents find solutions,” noted the official.
The educational process was suspended until March 23.
