TOP 5 achievements in education in Moldova: free meals in schools, record number of young specialists employed in education

The educational system in 2025 witnessed significant changes, receiving high praise from the European Commission in the latest Enlargement Report. The most important achievements of the concluding year have been unveiled by Education and Research Minister Dan Perciun in an exclusive interview for MOLDPRES.

1. Free meals in schools

Among the major achievements of this year, as stated by Minister Dan Perciun, there is the provision of free meals for children in schools. This benefit reaches over 146,000 pupils from first to ninth grade. The investment amounts to 800 million lei annually, funds allocated from the state budget.

To ensure free meals in schools, the Education and Research Ministry (MEC) implemented, for the first time this year, a programme to equip school cafeterias. On this purpose, through the Budget Plus project, 200 million lei was allocated.

2. Increased university admissions

The top achievements in education are continued by the increase in university admissions. “We have an admission increase of 7-8-per cent compared to 2024. This is an indicator that young people choose to stay in Moldova, that there is a positive dynamic in higher education,” said Dan Perciun. He noted that the Study in Moldova initiative, which promotes studies in the country, would be continued in 2026.

3. More young specialists employed in the system

The year 2025 also saw an increase in the number of young specialists who chose to work in educational institutions in the country after university graduation. “We have 420 young people assigned this year to schools and kindergartens. More than in 2024 and the highest number, in fact, starting from 2018, since this indemnity programme has been existing. Once again, we set a record,” said the education minister.

4. Additional funding for modernizing educational institutions

This year, the MEC secured a new funding project with the World Bank, worth 40 million dollars. The funds will be used to improve study conditions in universities and accommodations, as well as research, the internationalization of universities, and increasing financial capacities.

At the same time, a new funding totaling 35 million euros was approved for the modernization and equipping of 15 institutions in the Model Schools Network.

5. Reducing the shortage of teaching staff

Minister Dan Perciun emphasized that another accomplishment of 2025 was reducing the shortage of teaching staff. “We have more good news regarding the teaching staff shortage. In 2023, it was 2,000, after which we reached 1,700. Last year we started the allocation process with 1,550, and this is another thing we value greatly,” said the official.

Additionally, the year 2025 was notable for the implementation of a new funding formula in kindergartens across the country, for broader monitoring of high school graduation exams, and for implementing new initiatives for studying the Romanian language.

Education Minister Dan Perciun informed that the priorities for 2026 included launching the first repairs within the Model Schools Network, approving the new curriculum to be implemented as of 2027 and introducing a new funding formula for inclusive education.

Other objectives include training textbook authors, increasing the number of admitted pupils and young specialists assigned to schools, expanding dual education and remedial programmes, including Romanian language for non-native speakers.

Also, the ministry aims to improve evaluation in national exams, by introducing certified evaluators and increasing the quality of ninth-grade and school-leaving   exams.

The interview with Minister of Education and Research Dan Perciun will be published on December 23.