If the Transnistrian region joins the European education system, this could be a factor for bringing the education systems from the two sides of the Nistru River closer, similarly to Transnistria’s participation in the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between Moldova and the EU. The suggestions were formulated by expert of the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul” Ion Tabarta, who carried out a study entitled “Education systems from both sides of the Nistru: differences and tangential points”, IPN reports.
According to the expert, Chisinau preferred to follow the path to building a European-type education system with syncope and shortcomings. In the Transnistrian region, the education system went through two development stages. At the first stage in the 1990s, the Soviet-type education system was conserved. At the second stage, starting with 2003, they have massively or even mechanically borrowed parts of the Russian education system.
Ion Tabarta said the participation by the unrecognized authorities of the Transnistrian region in the Bologna Process, by the Russian model, is the main tangential point that exists between the two education systems.
According to the expert, the European standards should be implemented in Transnistria through the constitutional authorities of Moldova. In some of the areas, like exact sciences or health, there should be no animosities between Chisinau and Tiraspol. Most of the existing difficulties are related to history and language.
Ion Tabarta noted that the problems related to the functioning of the eight Moldovan-administered Latin-script schools in Transnistria are a separate, sensitive subject. Besides educational aspects, the given problem has a humanitarian side as the human rights are seriously violated. The Moldovan authorities should do their best in the communication with the unrecognized Transnistrian authorities to ensure that the children in Transnistria enjoy the right to choose the education model, which is a basic right.
