High-quality education in rural areas

In order to improve the quality of education, the public money provided to the education institutions of Moldova will be managed by the directors of the given establishments and the parents. “The Money Follows the Student” principle was formulated as part of the pilot project “High-Quality Education in Rural Areas” and implemented in Causeni and Rascani districts from January 1, 2011, Info-Prim Neo reports.

The project is carried out by the Ministry of Education with financial support from the World Bank. By 5,000 lei will be allocated for every student in the two districts yearly. The primary and secondary education institutions will receive by 413,000 lei.

The activities related to the financing of the primary and secondary education institutions in Causeni and Rascani districts are studied by a group of experts of the World Bank, who are in Moldova on a visit during February 1-7.

“The World Bank approves of the efforts to improve the quality of education made by Moldova despite the economic crisis and the political changes,” WB Senior Economist, Human Development Europe and Central Asia Region, Lars Sondergaard told a news conference.

““The Money Follows the Student” principle will enable to considerably improve the quality of education in the two districts as the public money will be distributed fairly and used according to the needs of every student,” said Minister of Education Leonid Bujor. “The directors of the education institutions will decide how to use this money together with the parents.”

Lars Sandergaard stressed that Moldova needs specialists who will meet the requirements of the 21st century and thus the education system must be strengthened. “The reforms initiated by the Moldovan Ministry of Education show that Moldova follows the right path. Since January 1, 2010, the directors of the education institutions in the two districts can make decisions in favor of the students as they are no more constrained by the old norms. They will now be able to manage the budgets themselves,” the WB representative said.

Ana Maria Sandi, international consultant within the World Bank, stressed the curriculum of the Moldovan education institutions turns from teacher-centered education into student-centered education “Besides textbook, the student needs a computer and Internet in order to be a good learner,” she said.

“If we are reliable partners, we will obtain financing for other districts as well. The change of mentality at national level should start from education. If we do not achieve this change in 3-4 years, the situation will be much worse,” Minister Leonid Bujor said.

By five buses for each of the two districts will be purchased within the project for facilitating the students' movement from one settlement to another.

The value of the project is US$10.17 million. US$5 million of this represents the loan granted by the International Development Agency, while US$5 million – the grant provided by the IDA. The project will last for four years.