Position of educational mediator to be established in three north Moldova settlements, to facilitate integration of Romany children

The position of educational mediator will be established in three settlements from north Moldova - Edinet Otaci, and Soroca, in order to ensure access and educational inclusion for all children, including those from Romany communities.

Educational mediators, in collaboration with local authorities and specialists at the local level, will support Romany children and their families to reduce absenteeism and school dropouts, contribute to eliminating bullying and discrimination, and strengthen communication between families, educational institutions and communities.

The piloting of the new position will take place during the next ten months. Educational mediators will operate at district education departments. The initiative was discussed during a meeting by representatives of the Ministry of Education and Research (MEC), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)Moldova and the Foundation for Development of Moldova.

The head of the Service for Interethnic Relations Policies at MEC, Ivan Duminica,  said that the project complemented the ministry's efforts to create a sustainable inclusion mechanism for Romany children.

“Presently, together with experts, we are working on developing a curriculum for accelerated education, for children who have never been enrolled in school, including Romany children. The mediators will also focus on the inclusion of Romany refugee children from Ukraine, who face additional integration challenges in our country's educational institutions,” said Ivan Duminica.

The pilot project is part of the initiative titled, Facilitating Access and Retention of Out-of-Education Children, Especially from the Romany Community, through Educational Mediators, implemented by UNICEF Moldova and the Foundation for Development of Moldova, with the support of the Ministry of Education and Research.