The Orhei Vocational School become more energy efficient thanks to a Japanese project that enabled to thermally insulate a block of study and execute other renovation works. The savings on bills represent about 20-25% and the institution can this way invest more in development.

The Orhei institution benefited from a US$91,000 grant from the Government of Japan within the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects or “Kusanone”. With this money, the roof of the building and the central block of study were repaired, the windows and doors were changed, while the façade of the school was thermally insulated.

Minister of Education and Research Anatolie Topală and Japan’s Ambassador to Moldova Yamada Yoichiro met with employees and students of the educational institution. The school’s administration is convinced that the improvement of the conditions of study will enable to attract a larger number of students.

The minister said the ensuring of optimal conditions for learning and the improvement of energy efficiency in educational intuitions are the Ministry’s priorities. “Efficiency and quality - this is what we want from all the national education institutions. The schools must ensure the best learning conditions for students and should be also energy efficient. The savings on bills enable to make more investments in infrastructure and development,” stated Anatolie Topală.

In his message, Ambassador Yamada Yoichiro spoke with optimism about Moldova’s prospects of becoming an EU member state and its extraordinary human resources potential. “When the Russian aggression against Ukraine is brought to an end, we will see the real renaissance of Moldova,” said the diplomat, being quoted in a press release of the Ministry of Education and Research.

The project benefited the 281 students and the 50 employees of the institution. The Orhei Vocational School trains specialists in a number of areas, such as mechanics, fitters, machinists, etc.

The Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects or “Kusanone” was launched in Moldova in 2008. So far Japan has offered US$6.9 million in non-reimbursable assistance for 82 projects in education, healthcare and public utilities.