Education Minister at start of school year: School shapes people who think freely

Over 334,000 students returned today, September 1, to classrooms across the Republic of Moldova, including more than 27,500 children who crossed the school threshold for the first time. On this occasion, Minister of Education and Research Dan Perciun visited Prometeu-Protalent Lyceum of Creativity and Invention in Chișinău, the institution where he spent part of his school years.

“It is a joy to return to the school that shaped me and where I learned not only subjects, but also what integrity, meritocracy, and responsibility towards society mean. I wish you to be curious, to have confidence in your own strengths, and to make the most of every opportunity that school offers you,” Perciun said.

The minister emphasized the role of the people in the education system, stressing that a school’s results do not depend only on infrastructure and equipment, but first and foremost on teachers, students, and parents.

In the 2026–2027 academic year, 32,981 teaching staff will work in general education institutions across the country. Among them, 473 are young specialists at the beginning of their careers, 9% more than in the previous year, when 429 young teachers were assigned.

“Beyond infrastructure, we continue to focus on the quality of education and on the skills children need today and in the future. We want every student, whether they study in a village, a district center, or the capital, to benefit from equal opportunities to learn, develop, and discover their potential,” the minister conveyed.

The increase in the number of young specialists is supported by measures introduced to make the teaching profession more attractive. At the start of their careers, young specialists can receive allowances of up to 375,000 lei, a reduced teaching load of 75% in the first five years of activity, compensation for teaching materials, housing and utility support in rural areas, annual leave of up to 62 days, and mentoring programs.

“Every day, through their work, teachers shape honest and responsible people, capable of thinking freely, making informed choices, and contributing to the welfare of the community,” the Ministry of Education and Research notes in its message.

According to the authorities, the new school year also provides for investments in classrooms and laboratories, as well as modern equipment and resources for students and teachers. At the same time, more than 18,000 students will benefit from school transport, with over 530 vehicles to be used for their travel.

This year, the ministry is placing special emphasis on character formation and civic values. The school year begins with the Decade of Universal Human Values, dedicated to human dignity, peace, and human rights.

“School is not only the place where we learn formulas, rules, and historical dates. It is also the space where we learn to ask questions, work together, express ourselves freely, and respect one another. This is where the civic spirit is formed and the values that keep us together as a society,” the Ministry of Education notes.

The first thematic lesson of this year, Independence That Unites Us, is dedicated to the 35 years since the proclamation of the Independence of the Republic of Moldova. Students in grades I–XII are discussing the path taken by the country between 1989 and 1991, the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the main transformations of the last 35 years, as well as identity, unity, and the responsibility of each generation for the country’s future.

“Dear students, we wish you to enter every classroom with questions, curiosity, and confidence. Enjoy every achievement, do not be afraid of mistakes, and remember that every effort brings you closer to what you want to become,” is the message addressed to students at the beginning of the new school year.

The 2026–2027 academic year started today in all public and private general education institutions in the Republic of Moldova.