Results and shortcomings in early childhood education in Moldova

Moldova achieved good results within the Education for All Project. However, 3,403 disabled children of preschool age are out of the education process, while the children in over 200 settlements do not have access to early education. The data were presented Monday in a national conference that brought together in Chisinau players involved in the implementation of the project, Info-Prim Neo reports. Though Moldova made significant progress, there are yet shortcomings that must be removed – eight in ten kindergartens are in need of extensive repair, while two in three educators need continuous professional training. There are inadequate inclusive practices for children with disabilities. UNICEF Representative in Moldova Alexandra Yuster said in the conference that despite the promising results in early childhood education, Moldova may not achieve the Millennium Development Goals if the deficiencies in early education are not dealt with. She believes the nongovernmental sector can contribute to removing them. Moldova is the only country that managed to take definite development steps despite a low budget, said the head of the Ministry of Education’s Higher Education Division Nadejda Velishko. Fifty kindergartens and 16 community centers have been renovated as part of the Education for All Project. More than 8,000 children now have access to early education. The Education for All Project has been implemented in Moldova between 2006 and 2010. The Catalytic Fund provided US$8.8 million to Moldova in support within the project.