Conference on inclusion, equity and protection in education takes place in Moldova

On 2 December, more than 225 participants, including inclusion specialists, teachers and school managers, experts, children, parents, and representatives of central and local public authorities gathered at the 5th edition of the national conference ‘Inclusion, Equity and Protection in Education’. The event was co-funded by the EU.

The conference explored the priorities of an inclusive and equitable education system: Moldova’s European education pathway, key reforms, universal accessibility, integrated support services, equal opportunities in technical vocational education, and the importance of communication and community engagement in expanding inclusive educational partnerships.

“Today, Moldova’s education system is more inclusive than it was ten years ago, but this transformation has not been easy. It required openness from teachers and school leaders, significant effort from parents, and strong involvement from all actors in the system,” said Dan Perciun, Minister of Education and Research. “Despite economic challenges, our joint work has helped build an education system that strives to ensure inclusion for every child.”

The commitment to inclusion is embedded in the National Development Plan 2025–2027 and represents a key pillar in the country’s EU accession process.

Iwona Piórko, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, reaffirmed the EU’s strong support for improving accessibility, strengthening support services, and modernising Moldova’s schools. 

“Education means giving every child an equal chance in life. We must ensure that, regardless of where a child is born or whether they live with a disability, they can dream boldly and have the tools to turn those dreams into reality,” she said.

Through the programme ‘Advancing Quality Education and Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All’, funded by the European Union, mobile inclusion teams are being piloted in rural communities and implemented by UNICEF and UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Research, model schools are being equipped with STEAM resources, and concrete accessibility measures are being put in place.

The conference was organised by the Ministry of Education and Research, UNICEF, the Republican Centre for Psychopedagogical Assistance, the Alliance of Active NGOs in the Field of Social Protection of Children and Families (APSCF) and the Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation, with financial support from the European Union, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Education Out Loud.

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Press release