Draft Education Code puts too many responsibilities on local authorities' shoulders, Congress of Local Authorities

The draft Education Code puts too many responsibilities and financial burdens on local authorities' shoulders. The improved communication between the local and central authorities will eliminate the difficulties in implementing the law. These are the conclusions reached by the Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova. They were presented during debates organized by the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives “Viitorul”, Info-Prim Neo reports. The Congress pointed out discrepancies in the draft Education Code and the legislation on the local public authorities. Though the Code says the public education institutions are subordinate to the local authorities, the Ministry of Education is empowered to name the heads of institutions and manage the education process. “The Code does not specify who is responsible for the education sector – the central authorities or the local authorities?,” said expert Viorel Furdui. According to the Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova, the powers of the district education institutions are not clearly defined. Also, the draft Education Code ignores the financial capacity of the local public authorities, which should provide the young specialists with free dwellings and lump sums and cover a part of the costs for electric power and heat, given that 80% of the local budget is directed to education, Simion Furdui said. Representatives of the local authorities suggest either decentralizing the education sector or putting it under the exclusive administration of the state as the local administration can play only a secondary role in this sector under the present local public finances system. A decision about the pre-final structure of the Eduction Code will be taken at the national congress of teachers. Afterward, the Code will be submitted to the Government.