There is currently a problem with Romanian-language textbooks for schools teaching in Russian or other ethnic minority languages in Moldova. The books for grades 10-12 have already appeared. Others are to be translated as well, so that institutions will be provided with new books according to the 2019 curriculum, Alexandru Melniciuc, professor of history and civic education, told the public debate "The educational system - the key to social integration in the Republic of Moldova", organized by IPN.

Melniciuc, who is a teacher in a Russian-language institution, referred to the institutions that open Romanian-language classes.

"In many schools, for example in Chisinau, classes have been opened in Romanian. This practice, I think, is linked not to the authorities' desire to help social integration, but rather to financial reasons. There are fewer and fewer pupils in Russian-taught schools, which affects the budget", said Alexandru Melniciuc.

These decisions also solve another problem, that of overcrowding in Romanian schools.

But teachers need to be replaced. "It all starts with motivating teachers. Everything related to laws and regulations is working ideally. But in practice there are problems with teacher pay and motivation", he said.

According to Alexandru Melniciuc, it is imperative that children, regardless of their ethnicity and language, should be told about the need to know the state language, because many opportunities arise here and, at the same time, the young generation gets closer to the country's culture.

"There are very many examples in history when ethnic minorities worked side by side and peacefully lived together" said Alexandru Melniciuc.

The public debate on "The education system - the key to social integration in the Republic of Moldova" is organized within the project "IPN News Agency for social cohesion and pro-European Moldova", funded by IMS.