Project Summary:

During 2024 – 2027, UNDP and UNICEF jointly implement the project “Advancing quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all”, funded by the European Union. 

A better education system will lead to improved educational outcomes for children, and consequently higher rates of return to the individual and society, creating a skilled workforce for the rapidly growing demand for advanced cognitive skills, socio-emotional skills, and digital skills. The project is anchored into the national priorities set in the Development Strategy Education 2030 and is set to empower all stakeholders to contribute to the advancement of the quality of education through enhanced human capacities, upgraded learning environments, relevant lifelong opportunities, and increased digital literacy skills.  Under this joint project, UNDP will contribute to making the necessary improvements at the regional level, namely: to improve equitable access for all children to quality education, promoting the development of an inclusive, digital, and resilient society and upgrade of learning environments through renovation of infrastructures, to facilitate the development of the 21st century skills.

Objective:

Contribute to human capital development in the Republic of Moldova, improving quality and relevance of education and lifelong learning opportunities for all, for better matching the labour market demands.

Expected results:

• Lifelong learning opportunities for adults are enhanced and promoted, equipping adults with indispensable digital skills and support their empowerment in the digital age;
• 10 model/aspirational schools modernized, including: improved learning process for STEEAM (science, technology, engineering, entrepreneurship, arts, and maths) subjects; teaching staff with enhanced capacities to integrate technology and new pedagogical approaches into their teaching practice; improved learning environment and teaching-learning conditions by setting up modern STEEAM learning spaces; and access to equipment and teaching-learning resources and support roadmaps for continuous development of digital learning space;
• One school renovated capitally, supporting innovation in education through modern and enhanced learning spaces;
• Libraries redesigned and renovated in 3 model schools, being transformed into multifunctional spaces;
• Strengthened STEEAM education, digital resources and skills of teachers improved;
• Extra-curricular financial literacy courses and career orientation activities are conducted in all 10 selected model schools;
• Pupils (boys and girls) from 10 aspirational/model schools benefit from improved learning processes and career orientation and advisory activities to support their early acquaintance with the labour market;
• Facilitated accessibility of students from remote areas to the model/ aspirational schools through access to transportation means and development of an integrated national system for school bus management. 

Accomplishments:

• Selected 10 beneficiary institutions as a result of a rigorous selection process, in close liaison with the Ministry of Education and Research (MER);
• Developed a unique concept for interior design and technical documentation for the upcoming renovation works in selected schools;
• Renovated 43 educational spaces in 9 model schools – primarily science laboratories and mathematics classrooms, as well as recreational spaces;
• Procured education equipment for 10 beneficiary schools, with specific focus on science and STEAM equipment for science laboratories;
• Procured 10 wheelchair-accessible school buses for the Ministry of Education and Research, which were distributed to 10 schools with most need;
• Equipped entire school fleet representing approximately 450 school buses with GPS trackers and provided access to local education authorities and MER to a GPS tracking system, contributing to a safe and efficient school transportation;
• Trained 63 Science and Math teachers (58 women and 5 men) in the area of STEAM project plans development, interdisciplinary collaboration, student-centered methods, and the use of modern digital educational technologies to enhance student engagement;
• Mentored science teachers from 10 beneficiary to implement long-term STEAM projects in their classrooms;
• Established a teachers’ Professional Community of Practice covering approximately 50 science teachers from 10 selected Model Schools, aiming to share good practices, discuss the implementation of knowledge received in the trainings and share the results;
• Developed 933 lesson plans, including 10 STEAM projects to support teachers, especially young professionals, to uphold curriculum standards and use interactive learning methods in their classrooms;
• Enlisted the support of 13 private sector companies, which cumulatively contributed approximately US$1 million to respond to various needs of the Model Schools as part of the MER’s campaign “Moldova for Education” supported by UNDP.