Kindergartens to be able to employ inclusive education specialists in Moldova

Kindergarten administrations of Moldova will be able to employ psychologists, speech therapists, support teachers and physical therapists, in order to ensure the integration of children with special educational needs into institutions.

This will be possible after the Ministry of Education and Research (MEC) approved new staffing norms for early childhood education (0-2 years) and preschool education (5-6/7 years), marking the first update of the document since 1999.

Also, special education institutions will benefit from such positions as psycho-pedagogue, sign language interpreter, ophthalmologist, etc.

The order, signed by Minister of Education and Research Dan Perciun, also reads that, in kindergartens with instruction in Russian, the position of Romanian language teacher will be introduced, allowing preschoolers to study it starting from their early years. Moreover, to enhance administrative efficiency, specialists in data processing and technical staff can be employed to maintain a safe and healthy environment.

The founders of institutions will be able to approve the supplementation of staffing norms within the available budget, including through contracts for temporary services. Positions that can be filled this way include physical education teacher, swimming coach, archivist, or computer network administrator.

According to the order, the staffing scheme in public education institutions is developed annually by the institution's director, endorsed by the institution's governing council, and approved by the founder or by the local specialty authority in education.

According to a study by United States Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Moldova, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Research, in the last ten years, the number of children with special educational needs included in our country's education system has doubled, showing the efforts made to support inclusive education.