The renovation process of general education institutions under the “Moldova Education Reform” Project(MERP), financially supported by the World Bank, continues at nine general education schools in the Republic of Moldova. According to authorities, civil works are carried out according to a special regime, in context of state of emergency throughout the country between March 17 and May 15, 2020 declared by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova. The Project is implemented by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research. (MECR), civil works are executed through the Public Institution “Moldova Social Investment Fund” (MSIF).
"In context of the crisis triggered by the pandemic of COVID-19, renovated schools meet challenges. Institutions have the necessary equipment to carry out the distance learning process. Thanks to the "Moldova Education Reform" Project, financed by the World Bank, 700 thousand US dollars are allocated to each educational institution involved in the renovation process. These financial means are intended exclusively for repair works. In addition to this amount, MECR allocates to each school 500 thousand lei for purchasing of equipment for physics, chemistry and biology laboratories," Natalia Griu, the Secretary of State at MECR, specified.
Renovation works of educational institutions were resumed after they had been stopped for a week.
"For the moment, renovation works have been resumed at nine construction sites in 11 educational institutions, which are in the process of renovation, with strict observance of the sanitary and epidemiological requirements. The activity has been stopped in the Theoretical Lyceum "Axentii Doljnenco" in Vulcăneşti town and in the Theoretical Lyceum "Petru Rareş" in Soroca town. Depending on the evolution of the epidemiological situation and the term of validity of the state of emergency, the activity will be resumed at these two institutions as well. Between March 17-22, the activity was completely stopped at several construction sites due to objective reasons, conditioned by the declaration of the state of emergency," the Director of PI MSIF, Iurie Chiorescu, mentioned.
According to MSIF, more than 50 percent of civil works have been completed in four lyceums out of 11.
74% of civil works have been executed in "Mihai Eminescu" Theoretical lyceum in Cimislia town, in Theoretical lyceum "Mihai Eminescu" in Straseni town - 62%, in Theoretical lyceum "Ştefan Holban" in Cărpineni community, Hancesti rayon - 60%, in Theoretical lyceum "Alexandru Agapie” in Pepeni village, Sangerei rayon - 56%.
In total, within the „Moldova Education Reform” Project, 23 general education schools are being renovated. Six of them are renovated by MECR, other 17 - through MSIF.
The school renovation activity is part of the component Strengthening the quality of education within the "Moldova Education Reform" Project.
MERP is a specific investment loan, financed by the World Bank, and implemented within the period between 2013 and 2020. The total budget of the project is 50 million US dollars.
