REPORT: School network in Moldova partially adapted to current realities, while urban–rural disparities remain significant

The education system in the Republic of Moldova must be adapted to new demographic realities. Between 2000 and 2024, the total number of students decreased by 47%, from 631.3 thousand to 335.1 thousand. The decline is much more pronounced in rural areas (61%) compared to urban areas (27%). The data were analyzed today during the presentation of the conclusions of the Forecast Study on the Development of Primary and Secondary Education for 2025–2035.

The author of the study, Program Director at the Institute for Public Policy, Anatol Gremalschi, emphasized that the current system operates in a context that has profoundly changed compared to the period when the school infrastructure was created.

“The education system in the Republic of Moldova operates in a profoundly changed context. Declining birth rates, migration, and the constant reduction of the school-age population have generated increasing pressure on the sustainability of the school network, especially in rural areas,” he noted.

Other data analyzed in the study highlight major challenges, including the need to continue reforms aimed at improving quality and ensuring equity in education. The school network is only partially adapted to current realities, and the differences between urban and rural areas remain significant. Small schools, especially in villages, affect students’ performance and limit access to specialized teachers, modern infrastructure, and extracurricular activities.

At the same time, the analysis shows a direct link between the size of institutions and school outcomes, while demographic projections indicate a continued decline in the school-age population in the coming years. In parallel, the shortage of teaching staff, particularly in rural areas, remains a problem that affects the quality of the educational process.

The study also provides relevant forecasts for the coming period, which can guide public policies in the field. The State Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Research, Valentina Olaru, stressed that the research results must form the basis for strategic decisions.

“It is a moment to reflect and to make decisions. We are not talking only about numbers, but about the future of schools in the Republic of Moldova and about the responsibility we share, at both central and local level, to build this future. Only together can we create an education system that responds to today’s challenges and prepares future generations,” the official stated.

In this context, the authorities have approved amendments to the Education Code that provide for the reorganization of schools with a small number of students, in order to ensure better learning conditions. At present, approximately 91 schools have fewer than 50 students, and another 247 have fewer than 90, which limits access to adequate educational resources.

The reorganization will affect around 1,328 students, that is, less than 0.5% of the more than 330,000 in the system, through the restructuring of 73 educational institutions. The authorities assure that students will benefit from free transportation and financial support, while teachers will have access to programs for professional retraining, relocation, and reimbursement of transportation costs, including mobility allowances between districts.