Five schools in Orhei were closed by the district authority on January 1. Maria Cogalniceanu, deputy head of the Education Division, has told IPN that the students go to school in the neighboring settlements.
The five schools are located in Sirota, Sarcani, Pohorniceni, Hulboaca and Donici. On January 9, a group of parents protested against the closure of the school in Donici.
Maria Cogalniceanu said the school in Donici was attended by 65 children. As the number of students was low and there was a shortage of teachers, the school was reorganized. “A school can work with at least 105 students. The reform of the schools network does not allow having a small number of students in institutions. Last year, the sixth and ninth grades were absent in this secondary school. This year there are no students for the seventh grade,” she stated. The children are taken to the school in Camencea, which is situated at a distance of 3 km, by bus.
Maria Cogalniceanu also said that the Orhei District Council was to take a decision about the closure of the school in summer, but the decision was delayed because of the absence of a quorum.
The principal of the Donici school Ecaterina Ceban has told IPN that the parents do not agree with the Council’s decision and intend to stage protests in front of the Government Building.
The school reorganization process in Moldova started in 2010.
