Moldovan education ministry launches programme on rehabilitation, construction of sanitary units in schools

Chisinau, 11 October /MOLDPRES/ - The primary schools, gymnasiums and lyceums can submit applications on projects for the renovation or reconstruction of sanitary units. An initiative to this effect is launched by the Education and Research Ministry, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Moldova.    

To participate in the contest, institutions’ managers should fill in a form, which can be accessed at the following link: https://bit.ly/blocurisanitare. The deadline for submitting applications is 31 October 2023. The form will include information on the current endowments, technical conditions of the installations, the needs of improving the systems and services of supply with water, sanitation and hygiene.      

„The children must have a sound environment for education, should be given access to safe sources of water supply, proper services of sanitation and hygiene. The creation of these conditions for each child and pupil from Moldova is a priority of the ministry,’’ Education and Research Minister Dan Perciun said.    

Following the contest, 100 institutions will be selected, which will benefit from full support for improving the conditions of supply with water and sanitation. The overall budget due to be allocated to this end is worth about 85 million lei (4.25 million euros). The programme is carried out with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Cooperation and Economic Development, through the German bank Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW).      

„The right to water and sanitation is in the focus of UNICEF’s mandate. The UNICEF programmes on the rehabilitation of sanitary units in schools, which covers over 90 countries and reach an average of 3 million children annually, are essential to make sure that each child has opportunity for a sounder and worthier education. We believe that the access to water and sanitation is not a privilege, but a fundamental right for each child,’’ UNICEF Country Representative in Moldova Maha Damaj said.     

In early 2023, problems regarding the access to water and sanitation were recorded in 178 education institutions. In 60 schools, gymnasiums and lyceums out of them, there are underway projects on capital construction or renovation of sanitary units.     

Thus, the renovation is made with resources allocated from the state budget in 25 institutions, seven institutions benefit from UNICEF’s support and 28 – from the backing of district councils and other development partners. All these projects will be finished till the end of this year. Another 118 education institutions in 2024 will benefit from investments on behalf of UNICEF and the World Bank worth 143 million lei in all.