More than 400 teachers are taking part in the National Forum of Teaching Staff. They discuss educational innovations, opportunities and challenges, good practices existing in Moldova and other counties and how these can be borrowed and replicated so that each child in Moldova can realize their potential and talents, IPN reports.
Attending the event, President Maia Sandu approved of the teachers’ involvement, saying that their role is very important – to educate the young generations that will build the country’s future. The improvement of the quality of education is a key task for the country’s authorities.
The official proposed refection themes to the teachers, such as the professional and moral authority of the teacher, the atmosphere in schools as the way in which the children feel at school can be decisive for their healthy development, the content of education passed on to children, the attitude to changes brought by digitalization and artificial intelligence, the role of the state and family in educating children.
According to Maia Sandu, who earlier held the post of minister of education, the role of teachers will be very important in preparing communities for Moldova’s accession to the EU as the children will learn namely from teachers about the changes taking place in the country, the advantages of European integration and what should be done for the Moldovans’ European dream to come true. The state will continue to increase the motivation of teachers and also the exigencies for those who want to work in the national educational system and will continue to invest in the formation of teachers.
U.S. Ambassador to Moldova Kent D. Logsdon said the United States, through USAID, helps the schools to implement digitization and to offer a better learning experience to students in Moldova. Three years ago, 76% of the teachers in the country didn’t apply informatics skills in classrooms. At present, the same percentage of teachers implements information technology in teaching. The Class of the Future launched in 2019, with a budget of US$1.8 million, was extended to include another 61 schools, covering 123 schools all over the country this year.
Moldova State University rector Igor Sharov said the investments made in education infrastructure and the number of students are directly proportional. He welcomed the constant support offered by the development partners, noting that their investments helped to attract more students to such new specialties as game design and new media. According to him, if the students choose to remain in the country, it means that the conditions of study are appropriate.
Psychologist Mircea Miclea, ex-minister of education and research of Romania, said that what teachers teach is a fundamental issue. Knowledge can be validated by comparing what you are told with what you know and have evidence that what you know is true. Learning is an experience that helps you to develop.
The National Forum of Teaching Staff was organized on the initiative of President Maia Sandu.
