The education system in Moldova is undergoing a transformation. As technology becomes increasingly present, Moldovan schools are trying to keep up with the demands of a generation growing up in a digital world. No longer just traditional learning spaces, classrooms are becoming places where tablets, projectors and online platforms help students explore and collaborate in a whole new way.
For refugee children in Ukraine, school is more than a classroom. It is a gateway to a new community, a place where they can learn the language, culture and values of their host country. Technology gives them the opportunity to keep up with their peers, but also to build an environment different from what they knew before.
Teachers play a crucial role in this process. They use technology not just to teach, but to connect students with each other, encouraging collaboration and friendships. As these children’s stories come to life, technology becomes a tool that gives them the chance to dream bigger, learn better and try to build a future.
The impact of digitization in Moldovan schools
Recent data shows that about 80% of Moldovan schools are connected to digital networks and initiatives to widen access to technology are narrowing the urban-rural divide. At the same time, only one in seven Ukrainian refugee children in Moldova physically attend school, the rest opting for distance learning programs offered by the Ukrainian education system.
These data underline the importance of investing in schools’ digital infrastructure. With the support of international organizations, the private sector and local initiatives, more and more educational institutions are adopting digital solutions to support students from vulnerable backgrounds.
An example of integration: “Gloria” High School in Chisinau
The “Gloria” Theoretical High School in Chisinau is a successful model of digitalization. Here, 1 100 students, including 55 refugee children, benefit from modern technology to carry out their studies. The institution recently received three digital education kits from UNHCR and the Orange Foundation and is one of 30 beneficiary schools. The kits include tablets, an educational server, a projector and other equipment that supports both teaching and learning.
“We strive to make all the children who study here feel at home, feel like part of a family,” says Nicu Pădureț, the school’s principal. The integration of these resources has added to the quality of education, and teachers are already noticing an increase in student involvement. Lessons are more interactive and collaboration between children becomes more natural.
For high school teacher Ana Craev, the equipment is more than just a tool. “This equipment is an important step towards providing equal educational opportunities,” she says. “It helps refugee children to learn the language, the culture of our country, acquire digital skills and, most importantly, integrate into the community.”
Technology gives students a chance to work together and connect. “The use of technology helps develop skills in working with digital devices and teamwork,” explains the teacher. “Students begin to form friendships with each other. We have group projects on online platforms, which is important for making connections and friendships collectively.”
A future built on modern education
The example of “Gloria” High School is just one of many that reflect the transformation of education in Moldova. It is not just about modernizing schools, but about how technology can open new horizons for students from all backgrounds. Every tablet, every interactive lesson and every online project is more than just a tool – they become the key to a future where education transcends traditional boundaries.
Teachers and students are discovering new ways of learning together, and their stories show that change is possible when there is support. Moldova is taking important steps towards a more inclusive and modern education system.
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