The Republic of Moldova faces numerous inclusion challenges due to its political, economic and historical context. The country seeks to provide equitable opportunities for all its citizens, especially vulnerable and marginalized groups. Thus, inclusive education is becoming increasingly important in the overall educational landscape and management plays a critical role in creating an inclusive school culture.

In this context, a study was conducted between March and May 2024, which focused on inclusive school management, outlining a leadership model that encourages collaboration between all stakeholders to ensure that vulnerable pupils benefit from quality education. This focus aligns with the Republic of Moldova’s commitment to promote inclusive practices and remove barriers of social exclusion of children.

For a comprehensive picture of the situation, primary data was collected from 4.5% of school leaders through questionnaires, in-depth interviews and a focus group, and secondary data – through document research, including analysis of existing policies, legal framework and previous studies. The information obtained was used in the preparation of the Global Education Monitoring Report 2024/25 “Leading for inclusion: the new regional report on the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia”.

The Report was launched during an event organized by C.E. PRO DIDACTICA on April 3, 2025, at “Summit events” in Chisinau, with the participation of 25 school managers, support teachers, specialists from the Pedagogical Psychological Assistance Services, project coordinators, university professors, national and international experts, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Research.

In her opening speech, Dr. Rima BEZEDE, Executive Director of C.E. PRO DIDACTICA, emphasized that the study highlighted that the Republic of Moldova has made significant progress in promoting inclusive leadership. And although some challenges remain, there is a strong commitment among educational leaders to promote inclusive education. This commitment is reflected in the broad consensus among education stakeholders on the importance of inclusive organizational culture as a catalyst for future reforms.

Valentina OLARU, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Education and Research, praised the findings and recommendations of the Report both for strengthening inclusive school culture and for emphasizing the importance of collaboration between different educational actors to achieve visible success in innovative and inspirational school leadership, open for quality changes in school relationships, process and outcomes.

Presenting the findings and recommendations of the Report, Anna D’ADDIO and Francesca ENDUIZZI, experts, UNESCO, said that for educational inclusion to be successful, authorities and the community must give educational leaders all the support they need. This must be materialized by increasing human resource support for pupils with special needs; initiating inclusive practices throughout the community; providing specialized training; improving infrastructure and accessibility. All these efforts must be accompanied by effective monitoring, which will ensure the sustainability of change as well as continuous focus on inclusive values.

Viorica GORAȘ-POSTICĂ and Daniela PREAȘCA, experts, C.E. PRO DIDACTICA, the authors of the study, referred to the research methodology; the legislative, political and social context of the country; the challenges of inclusion; the characteristics of the school leader; good leadership practices for inclusive education. The authors emphasized that, compared to 10-15 years ago, inclusive education in the Republic of Moldova has significantly improved by focusing on local solutions and promoting adaptive models at the level of each school. However, for greater social inclusion, it is imperative to reduce economic inequalities, ensure political stability and improve access to quality health care, combat some prejudices, improve inclusive practices and educational infrastructure. And to build an environment in which all citizens can participate fully and equally in society and to ensure sustainable progress, government, civil society and international partners need to work together.

The event presented some successful practices, recognized at national and international level, promoted by Vera BALAN, headmistress of the “Petre Ștefănucă” Theoretical High School in Ialoveni, and Pavel CERBUȘCĂ, headmaster of the “Aristotel” Theoretical High School in Chisinau.

Finally, in a constructive discussion, the participants of the event shared their views on the successes achieved in the field, but also on the problems that still persist in schools in terms of the perception and de facto implementation of inclusion and its impact on children’s well-being.

The EDUCATION 2024/25 GLOBAL EDUCATION MONITORING REPORT “Leading for inclusion: new regional report on the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia” was produced in partnership with the Network of Education Policy Centers (NEPC), of which C.E. PRO DIDACTICA, directly involved in the data collection for the Republic of Moldova and in the elaboration of the Country Case Study.

The report provides a comparative analysis of leading practices in inclusive education, based on in-depth studies and perspectives of education systems in 8 countries: the Republic of Moldova, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It provides recommendations to governments and stakeholders to promote inclusion and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality education throughout the region.

All materials discussed will be posted on the official website of UNESCO and the other partner organizations and will be widely disseminated internationally.

The module “Preventing online gender-based violence. The basics of nonviolent communication”, addressed today, September 27, 2024, concluded the comprehensive program of training of key Safe Spaces staff to carry out educational and leisure activities, to provide professional support and counseling to the beneficiaries – Ukrainian and Moldovan refugee teenagers and young people.

The last session of the program was facilitated by trainers Natalia GRÎU and Elena Creangă. It started with a session dedicated to online safety, focusing on responsible behavior and how to protect yourself. The most substantial component of the day focused on non-violent communication. The topic was approached from the perspective of its essence, the preconceived ideas related to it, the basic principles and the steps involved, attitudes, etc. During the training, participants experienced conflict situations and reflected on the sources that generate them in cyberspace and in everyday life, learning to construct a nonviolent message based on empathy and understanding of their own needs and those of the people involved in the communication.

The training program was organized on 20-27 September, in the framework of the project “Refugee Support Initiative”, implemented by PRO DIDACTICA Educational Center, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), as part of the Humanitarian Response in the Republic of Moldova. It was facilitated by trainers Natalia GRÎU, Elena CREANGĂ, Violeta TERGUȚĂ, Elena CAISÂN-POPA and Veronica CUMPĂNĂ, with 28 local coordinators, psychologists, youth workers and volunteers from 16 Static and Mobile Safe Spaces, coordinated by the Educational Center PRO DIDACTICA, the Public Association “Homecare” and the NGO “HelpAge”.

Over four days, participants developed their professional skills in the following areas: gender-based violence; sexual violence and intervention strategies; prevention of gender-based violence, prevention of gender-based violence, prevention of gender-based violence in the online environment; bio-psycho-sexual development of adolescents, non-violent communication strategies.

“Bio-psycho-sexual development in adolescents” is the module taught on 23-24 September this year within the complex program carried out by the Educational Center PRO DIDACTICA for key staff of the Static and Mobile Safe Spaces launched with the support of the project “Refugee Support Initiative”, including those coordinated by the Public Association “Homecare” and the NGO “HelpAge”.

Organized in offline format, at the Villa Verde Hotel, the training was facilitated by Elena CAISÂN-POPA (Head, Youth Friendly Health Centre “Amigos”, Buiucani) and Veronica CUMPĂNĂ (Head, Youth Friendly Health Centre “Amigos”, Botanica). The training brought together 30 participants – local coordinators, psychologists, youth workers and volunteers from 16 Safe Spaces to develop professional skills in the field of adolescent mental health and bio-sexual particularities necessary for working with adolescents and young people from Ukrainian refugee and host communities.

Asked at the beginning of the activity to say what they expected from this learning sequence, the trainees mentioned the following: new, up-to-date information; professional support; teaching materials (including files, video products, etc.) for use in working with the beneficiaries; modern teaching strategies and models of their application, etc.

Under the motto “Adolescence – the age of change”, the training scenario was based on: defining the term “mental health”; identifying measures to reduce stress and restore emotional balance; recognizing the symptoms of a person at risk; explaining the steps to be taken in cases of risk – all addressed with reference to adolescents. The second day of the training was dedicated to discussing the biological particularities of the adolescent age. The participants discussed the signs of early and late adolescence, the elements of personal and menstrual hygiene, the specifics of relationships during adolescence, as well as responsible sexual behavior adopted by adolescents. Special emphasis was also placed on professional support and referral services for all adolescents/teenagers.

The activity took place within the project “Refugee Support Initiative”, implemented by the Educational Center PRO DIDACTICA, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)”, as part of the Humanitarian Response in the Republic of Moldova.