Four years of promoting learner-centered education

The education system in Moldova undergoes an ample process of reform which the teachers should learn to accept, stated Vladimir Gutu, Learner-Centered Education project manager, at a Friday conference held to sum up 4 years of the Project, Info-Prim Neo reports. The Project was started in 2008 and since then, says Vladimir Gutu, it has succeeded to introduce the principles of student-centered education into the draft Education Code and the Consolidated Strategy for Education Development for 2011-2015, as well as into other national policies. The Project also provided introductory and continuous training to practicing and prospective teachers. Further, guides on learner-centered education were developed and managerial conditions were created to promote such principles in schools. “We should not stick in the mud when all the other countries are moving forward. We understand that changes inconvenience some people, but we must adapt to keep pace with the modern times”, declared Vladimir Gutu. “On its path toward European integration, Moldova should develop a high-standard educational process in order to prepare highly skilled professionals. A student is not born in university. To have a good student that is able to face European competition he or she needs to be educated since kindergarten”, said Sandie Blanchet, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Moldova, one of the Project's supporters. The program is implemented in cooperation with UNICEF Moldova, the Ministry of Education, the Step by Step Program, the Institute of Education Sciences and the education divisions across the country.