Students in child-friendly schools perform better, report

Students in child-friendly schools, also known as experimental schools, improved their results by 16%, shows a report presented by UNICEF Moldova and the Ministry of Education on Friday, Info-Prim Neo reports. The “Child-Friendly School” initiative was implemented in Moldova between 2007 and 2011. UNICEF Moldova said in a press release the results improved because during the four years pupils studied according to a curriculum adapted to their needs, while teachers participated in trainings on pupil-centered education and understood how to help students learn better. Further, the four friendly schools in Molesti, Crocmaz, Valcinet and Sofrancani were repaired and equipped with heating systems and restrooms, so that the incidence of common cold cases decreased and more children attended school regularly. The changes can be seen in the children’s behavior, as they have become more confident, more careful and attentive towards their classmates because of the practiced exercises and of teamwork. The costs of the initiative amounted to 7 million lei, most of which was spent on infrastructure. The costs of trainings and curricula are estimated at over 90,000 lei per school. Alongside foreign donors, the local authorities and community contributed considerably to the funding of the project. UNICEF Resident Representative Alexandra Yuster said that friendly schools provided a change for both children and Moldova’s educational goals. “UNICEF thinks that the child friendly school initiative could be an important element in the transformation of Moldovan schools. What must follow is the nationwide application of the model”, said Alexandra Yuster. The assessment report was prepared by an independent consultant from Romania and by the Moldovan Human Rights Resource Center (CReDO).