School Barometer 2026: first evaluation tool of general education system presented in Moldova

Seven out of ten students, parents, and teachers hold a positive perception of education in the Republic of Moldova, compared to 91% of school principals, according to the School Barometer 2026, launched for the first time in the Republic of Moldova.

The instrument, developed with the support of the European Union, provides a comprehensive overview of the education system from the perspective of students, parents, teachers, and school principals, and contributes to the development of evidence-based public policies.

The findings were presented at the conference ‘School Barometer 2026: Dialogue for Education’, held on 17 February in Chisinau, with the participation of teachers, students, representatives of public institutions, and development partners.

According to the Barometer, eight out of ten students and parents are satisfied with the quality of education provided by their school, compared to nine out of ten teachers and principals. On average, 73% of respondents consider that the subjects analysed (mathematics, Romanian language, mother tongue for non-native speakers, foreign languages, physics, chemistry, biology, and history) correspond to students’ interests and needs. Students identified as priorities for curriculum integration topics such as health education (84%), career guidance (82%), human and children’s rights (82%), and financial education (80%).

The most highly rated aspects relate to the relational climate within schools: teachers’ respectful attitude (83%), friendliness (79%), concern for students’ well-being (76%), and encouragement of students to express their opinions (75%).

However, some challenges persist. Only 34% of respondents are satisfied with the accessibility of school transportation for students with disabilities. Perceptions of cheating during assessments persist, alongside notable differences between students and teachers regarding academic integrity.

“The School Barometer clearly shows us where the system performs well and where more decisive intervention is required,” said Education Minister Dan Perciun. “The fact that the majority of students and parents trust their school is encouraging; however, the data concerning textbooks, integrity, the frequency of bullying incidents, and the inclusion of children with disabilities compel us to accelerate reforms.” 

The study was conducted on a nationally representative sample and included over 2,100 students for each of the two survey components, 1,570 parents, 2,463 teachers, and 95 principals from 110 selected schools. Interviews were carried out in Romanian and Russian, according to respondents’ preferences.

The research was commissioned by the Ministry of Education and Research and implemented with the support of UN agencies – UNICEF, UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UNFPA, UN Women, and UNDP – with financial support from the European Union, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

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