Former Minister of Education, professor Nicolae Matcas reached 70. In a scientific conference held to mark the anniversary, Acting President Mihai Ghimpu and Premier Vlad Filat brought Matcas white roses, Info-Prim Neo reports. At the start of the scientific conference “The national school: recovery of the European destiny”, Minister of Education Leonid Bujor said Nicolae Matcas modified the structure of the education system in Moldova by introducing three stages: primary, secondary and lycee education. The decimal grading system was instituted in the period, while the Romanian language started to be studied in schools. At the suggestion of the Board of the Ministry of Eduction, Nicolae Matcas was awarded the Order of the Republic, under a decree signed by Mihai Ghimpu. The acting head of state said it was very easy to speak about a man whose biography is so rich that one has nothing to add to it. The Ambassador of Romania in Chisinau also attended the conference. “A diplomat should not reveal his vulnerability, but I cannot hide that I'm overwhelmed when I speak about Nicolae Matcas,” said Marius Lazurca. “I think that his title of gory is not of minister, but of professor. When I say this, I feel rather student than diplomat.” Nicolae Matcas was born in Crihana Veche village of Cahul district on April 27, 1940. In 1990-1994, he had been Minister of Science and Education. Since 1995, he has lived in Bucharest. He wrote scientific and eduction works as well as poems. The conference was held with the support of the Ministry of Education, the Romanian Language House and the magazine “Limba Romana” (“The Romanian Language”).