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EouCATlON FAST TRACK INITIATlVE INMOLOO~

Ajuta-1 sa creasca

mmare

Chisinau, 2010

The country's renovation started with the renovation of kindergartens and this fact has a

special significance. If we want every child to become A GREAT PERSONALITY, as we have urged on under the "Education for All -Fast Track Initiative" Project, we should ensure that all children develop in adequate, safe, optimal conditions.

We have all contributed to the attainment of this desiderate: Ministry of Education, development partners UNICEF and World Bank, local public authorities, communities, teaching staff and parents. Evidence to this common effort­illustrated in human stories, pictures, results- are reflected in this brochure, which we encourage you to read and keep as a document evidencing our joint success.

Leonid BUJOR Minister of Education of the Republic of Moldova

I often say to investors: "You can make mistakes when investing in something. Investments in

children shall never fail': The activity of the "Education for- Fast Track Initiative" in Moldova confirms once again that money invested in children lead to valuable achievements. We are glad to ascertain that an increasing number of children from vulnerable families attend the modernly equipped kindergartens, benefiting from quality education in Moldova. Thus, Moldova's experience in the field is internationally considered to be a successful one and can be an example to be followed by other countries.

Bob PROUTY Director of the "Education for All - Fast Track Initiative" Secretariat

The "EDUCATION FOR ALL - Fast Track Initiative• is implemented by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Moldova out of the sources of a grant offered by the Catalytic Fund. The Grant Is administered by the World Bank and the Project activities are implemented by the Ministry of Education with the support of UNICEF.

The 'Education for All- Fast Track Initiative• Project in Moldova renovated kindergartens, endowed them with learning materials, books, toys, furniture and playgrounds, trained teaching and administrative staff and elaborated education policy documents.

The "Education for All and Everyone" brochure Design: Lidi Sainciuc Editor: Aurelia Guzun Contribution: Lia Sclifos Human stories: Angelina Olaru, Doina Sclifos, Jlona Spataru, Irina Tribusean, Tatiana Etco Images: Aurelia Guzun, Ghenadie Pripa, Iurie Varian, Marin lliut, Tatiana Etco Printing: Bans Offices

The Republic of Moldova has registered significant progress in the field of early

child education. In kindergartens that we have visited during these years we saw smiles on the faces of children educators and these institutions' employees. The access of children to preschool education has also improved, especially in the case of children from vulnerable families.

I believe that the,Education for All- Fast Track Initiative" Project shall have a great impact and its effects can already be noticed. Due to an improved early development, children shall become better citizens of the Republic of Moldova.

Melanie MARLETT World Bank Country Manager for Moldova

It is the right of every child to have access to preschool education and it is the right of each

family to know that there exists a safe place for their children throughout the day. And these rights are ensured in Moldova inclusively through the contribution of partners involved in the "Education for All - Fast Track Initiative" Project.

Today it is very important that we join our efforts so that no vulnerable child is left out - all children in Moldova should benefit from quality early education.

Alexandra YUSTER UNICEF Representative in the Republic of Moldova

Ajuta-1 Q sa creosca

m more

EouCATlON FOR ALL­FASTTRACK

INillATlVE IN MOLDOVA

Fast Track Initiative in the Republic of Moldova: Brief Histo

The "Education for All- FastTrack Initiative" Project was the result of some earlier actions undertook by the Republic of Moldova with the goal of becoming part of the EDUCATION FOR ALL Initiative, launched in Moldova in December 2001.

In 2002, the country has developed the National "Education for All" Strategy and the medium term Actions Plan. These documents have been approved in 2003 and respectively, in 2004. Thus, early child education has for the first time been declared to be a national priority in the Republic of Moldova.

In 2005, Republic of Moldova has become eligible under the "Education for All - Fast Track Initiative". Thus, Moldova has become a potential beneficiary for the Catalytic Fund and for the Education Programmes Development Fund.

In 2006, Republic of Moldova has launched the "Education for All - Fast Track Initiative" Project, implemented by the Ministry of Education in cooperation with the World Bank, as the grant's administrator, and UNICEF, as lead agency.

The "Education for All - Fast Track Initiative" Project has responded to some vital needs of the country. Between 1994 and 2004 the number of preschool institutions in Moldova has decreased by 28%, from 1 774 in the school-year 1994-1995 down to 1 269 in 2003-2004. A large number of kindergartens have been closed and liquidated, fact that has in turn led to a significant decrease in the children's access to early education. In 2004 only about 60% of the total number of 5-6 years old children benefited f rom preschool education, compared to 80% in 1992.

During these years, discrepancies between rural and urban areas have also deepened. The probability of one child from the rural area to benefit from early education programme was three times lower compared to a child from the urban area. According to the annual poverty indexes reports, in 2004, in the rural area, the rates of enrollment in preschool education constituted 50%, compared to 85% in the urban area.

What Were the Objectives of the 11Education for All Fast Track Initiative" in Moldova? The grant's resources of 8.8 million US dollars have been directed towards the achievement of the following objectives:

Increase the rate of children enrollment in preschool programmes

• Improve access to quality preschool education for children at risk

• Improve the quality of early child education

• Train preschool institutions' teaching and managerial staff in the field of early child development

Consolidate social partnerships and communities' involvement in early child development programmes.

Intervention Areas Rehabilitation of kindergartens and establishment of Early Child Development Community Centres

• Endowment of kindergartens

• Development of educational policy documents

• Training kindergartens' teaching and administrative staff

• Promoting the need for early child education and social partnerships in favor of early education.

The main results of the Project, 2006-2010: • 8.8 million US dollars invested in two phases • 50 kindergartens and 16 Community Centres renovated out of the Project's funds • 21 Community Centres created with the support of LPA and endowed under the Project • establishment of 2 Rehabilitation Centres for children with special needs • establishment of 3 inclusive kindergartens • 512 institutions endowed (4 out of 1 0 preschool institutions) • 9454 children now benefit from access to early education due to the Project • 983 new working places created for the teaching staff due to the Project.

As well: • Education policy documents developed under the Project and appreciated internationally • Over 31 000 books and learning materials provided to kindergartens and specialists • One out of three educators benefited from continuous t raining.

The"Education for All - Fast Track Initiative" Project has a triple effect: at the levels of policies, institutions and communities.

Perspectives for the Republic of Moldova

At the same time, there are still pending issues that, in order to be resolved, require investments:

• 230 localities lack kindergartens • One out of four children has no access to

early education.

In order to ensure quality education services:

1. 8 out of 1 0 kindergartens need capital repairs

2. 2 out of 3 institutions need to be endowed 3. 2 out of 3 educators need continuous

training 4. Children with special need nationally

institutionalized inclusive practices.

Increasing the Rate of Children Enrollment in Preschool Programmes Increasing the rate of children enrollment in preschool programmes has a direct and indirect impact on the quality of education, and, in the first place, on ensuring the education system's continuity.

The "Education for All - FastTrack Initiative" contributes to this component through renovation works and endowment of preschool institutions with learning materials, furniture and other equipment necessary for the preschool education institutions' good functioning.

Rehabilitation of Preschool Institutions The preschool rehabilitation component was implemented by the Moldova Social Investment Fund (MSIF).

Preschool institutions renovated under the Project:

KINDERGARTENS Renovated in the urban area:

1. Anenii Noi town, kindergarten no. 4 2. Basarabeasca town, kindergarten "Solnisko" 3. Briceni town, kindergarten no. 1 4. Cahul town, kindergarten no. 8 5. Calarasi town, kindergarten no. "Guguta" 6. Cantemir town, kindergarten no. 3 7. Causeni town, kindergarten no. 2 8. Com rat town, kindergarten no. 8 "Ceadir Lung a" 9. Cimislia town, kindergarten "Foisor• 10. Donduseni town, kindergarten no. "Luceafarul" 11. Drochia town, kindergarten no. "Fioricica" 12. Edinet town, kindergarten no. "Soarele" 13. Falesti town, kindergarten no. "Soarele" 14. Floresti town, kindergarten no. 9 15. Glodeni town, kindergarten no. 5 16. Hancesti town, kindergarten no. 4 17. Leova town, kindergarten no. 2 "Roman ita" 18. Nisporeni town, kindergarten no. l"Povestea" 19. Ocnita town, kindergarten no. 1 20. Orhei town, kindergarten no. 12 21. Rascani, kindergarten no. 6 22. Rezina town, kindergarten no. 6 "Cucosul de Aur" 23. Sangerei town, kindergarten no. 6 "Martisor" 24. Soroca town, kindergarten no. 17 25. Straseni town, kindergarten no. 2 26. Soldanesti town, kindergarten "Martisor" 27. Stefan Voda town, kindergarten no. 3 "Aiionusca" 28. Taraclia town, kindergarten no. 3 "Ruceioc" 29. Telenesti town, kindergarten no. 4

Renovated in villages:

30. Borogani village, r. Leova 31. Cabaesti village, r. Calarasi 32. Carbuna village, r. laloveni,

kindergarten "Scufita Rosie" 33. Cirnatenii Noi village, r. Causeni 34. Cocieri village, r. Dubasari,

kindergarten "Garofita" 35. Copanca village, r. Causeni 36. Copceac village, r. Ceadir-Lunga 37. Corlateni village, r. Rascani 38. Cosernita village, r. Criuleni,

kindergarten "Victorita" 39. Cotiujeni village, r. Briceni 40. Crihana Veche village, r. Cahul 41. Cucuruzeni village, r. Orhei 42. Floritoaia Veche village, r. Ungheni 43. Gribova village, r. Drochia 44. lalpujeni village, r. Cimislia 45. Mascauti village, r. Criuleni 46. Peciste village, r. Rezina 47. Panasesti village, r. Straseni 48. Petresti village, r. Ungheni 49. Prajila village, r. Floresti 50. Ulmu village, r. laloveni

EARLY DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY CENTRES

Renovated out of the project's funds: Renovated by LPA and endowed within the Project:

1. Alunis village, r. Rascani 1. Bocancea-Schit village, commune of Dumbravita, r. Sangerei 2. Alexandreni village, r. Sangerei 2. Bratianovca village, commune of Sa rata Galbena, r. Hincesti 3. Baimaclia village, r. Causeni 3. Chirilovca village, commune ofVinogradovca, r. Taraclia 4. Buciumeni village, r. Ungheni 4. Condrita village, municiality of Chisinau 5. Calfa village, r. Anenii Noi 5. Crihana village, r. Orhei 6. Cenac village, r. Cimislia 6. Dumitreni village, commune of Alexeevca, r. Floresti 7. Climauti village, r. Donduseni 7. Harcesti village, r. Ungheni 8. Cepeleuti village, r. Edinet 8. Hijdieni village, commune of Berezloci, r. Orhei 9. Cismea village, commune of Pelivan, r. Orhei 9. Hrubna Noua village, commune ofTaxobeni, r. Falesti 10. Cuizauca village, r. Rezina 10. Magureanca village, commune of Scum pia, r. Falesti 11. Hartopul Mic village, commune of Hartopul 11. Marinesti village, r. Sangerei

Mare, r. Criuleni 12. Negurenii village, Vechi, r. Ungheni 12. Lebedenco village, r. Cahul 13. Samascani village, r. Soldanesti 13. Peticeni village, r. Calarasi 14. Secareni village, r. Hincesti 14. Roghi village, comune of Malovata Noua, r. 15. Sevirova village, r. Floresti

Dubasari 16. Stejareni village, commune of Lozova, r. Straseni 15. Vasilevca village, r. Dubasari 17. Sipoteni village, r. Hincesti 16. Visoca village, r. Soroca 18. Valea Trestieni village, r. Nisporeni

19. Vulcanesti village, commune of Cioresti, r. Nisporeni 20. Zahorna village, commune of Dobrusa, r. Soldanesti 21. Zaicani village, commune of Ratus, r. Telenesti

Renovation of 21 Community Centres has been accomplished out of the funds provided by local public administrations, in partnership with other donors.

Endowment of Kindergartens and Community Centres

Depending on the needs, preschool education units have been endowed with learning materials, guides, resource centres (books, toys, games), equipment for activities, furniture, sport and play grounds.

Under the Project, funds spent on endowments amo·unt at circa 3, 6 million US dollars. As a whole, 512 preschool education institutions have been endowed.

The learning materials have been provided to all the 1 499 preschool kindergarten groups of the country, attended by 61 829 children of 5-6(7) years. 53 institutions have been endowed with sport and play grounds.

Only in the second year of the Project 2 938 children have been additionally enrolled in preschool education institutions due to endowments provided.

In such a way:

During 2006-2010, the Republic of Moldova has managed to register significan progress in ensuring access of children to early educat ion programmes.

In 2010, due to the Project, the Moldovan Government and other donor agencies, preschool institutions are now activating in the country, 23.6% of which in the urban area and the other 76.8% in the rural area. The number of children enrolled in preschool education programmes has increased up to 126 thousand by the end of 2009.

The rate of children enrollment in preschool institutions is increasing. In 2009 it constituted 75.5%, which is 4% more compared to 2005 (70.7%). The gross rate of children enrollment in the urban area (91 .9%) is higher compared to the one in the rural area (66.1 %). (National Bureau of Statistics, 2009).

These data confirm the fact that the Project's aim to increase of the rate of children enrollment in preschool education programmes has been attained. Due to the Project, 8 438 children got access to education.

At the same time, additional investments are needed to ensure access of all children to quality early education.

According to the latest statistical data, 230 communities from the country lack preschool education units, depriving thus 8 247 children from access to education.

1. In 11 0 localities the total number of children of preschool age ranges from 20 to 1 00. This is the case when the option of establishing Community Centres could be considered.

2. In 21 localities the number of children ranges between 100 and 400. These communities are in need of kindergartens. 3. In 3 villages, the preschool institutions have been wrecked by inundations, requiring compete reconstruction in order to

ensure access of 244 children to education.

he Story of a Village that Has Revived the Kindergarten

lalpujeni village is 76 km away from Moldova's capital, being placed in the raion of Cimislia. The village has 7 860 inhabitants, of which 7 04 are children of 0-7 years old. Until recently, none of these children had a chance to attend a kindergarten, since for 7 7 years there has been no preschool institution in the village. On November 20 2009 the kindergarten has been reopened in lalpujeni.

Vita lie Burduh, Mayor of lalpujeni commune, has no preschool aged children. His children have already grown up. But his dream, since he became Mayor, was to renovate the preschool institution. "I recall how hard it has been to raise our children at home. We had to deal with being torn between work and home':

But how to rebuild what has been destroyed for 71 years? The Local Administration has no funds, most of the villagers left abroad for work given the lack of working places in the country.

The village's chance came from the "Education for All- Fast Track Initiative" Project. ''The kindergarten's renovation is the first project aiming at revitalizing social institutions implemented by our village's inhabitants, jointly with other partners'; says Vita lie Burduh. "Now we do know what a project is and we shall not stop here. We intend to renovate the school':

'The kindergarten has been repaired in a rather short term, in six months'; says the kindergarten's director, Ina Turcanu. "Now we, the educators, need to learn to work according to the new curriculum and the new child centered educational approaches':

Now children from lalpujeni go to the kindergarten every day. Vladut Dubceac is 5 years old and has never seen a kindergarten, until now: "I like playing with the new toys. /like sitting on the carpet and the educator reading to us from illustrated books. But most of all/like the playground with the slide!"

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A Better Life for Children from Sipoteni

Vladislava and Marian Andruta are twins who attend the Community Centre from Sipoteni village, raion of Hincesti, a picturesque zone, but isolated from the other villages by a hard, stony, road. Their father has to cover this distance each week to go to Chisinau for work. Children stay mostly with their mother, who has a job, but also a household to maintain. "I do not have time to read fairy tails to my children. We also cannot afford many books or toys, they are too expensive. We have been dreaming, for a long time, of a kindergarten that would have books, toys and an educator who could teach them everything~ says Nadejda Andruta.

The life of Andruta family has recently changed since the opening of the Early Education Community Centre. "It is so nice here, we play, eat, learn riddles and poems': says Vladislava.

Sipoteni village has not had a kindergarten for 14 years. Starting with 2003, the village's children had the opportunity to attend the preschool group within the school. Children studied in two shifts, for the classroom could hot host all the children at once. Moreover, the school did not have rooms specifically adapted for the children's early education; it did not have proper equipment or furniture.

Vera Olaru, the Mayor ofSipoteni village, says that it has been her dream to establish a Community Centre. The only problem was the lack of funds and of an adequate building. "The former bath -house was the only building that had not been demolished, and we have decided to renovate it and offer it to the children~ says the Mayor. The building has been renovated out of the funds offered by the local public authorities, with the parents' contribution. The Ministry of Education has endowed the centre with furniture, learning materials, books and toys - all offered under the "Education for All - Fast Track Initiative" Project.

Initially, the Community Centre functioned for half a day. Children had breakfast, played, and had diverse activities. Later the Mayor's Office decided to renovate some additional rooms, to create two bedrooms, two play rooms, one toilet and has extended the Centre's working hours to cover the whole day. Both the parents and the children are happy with these changes.

"It has not been easy to convince the parents to enroll all the children in the early education programme'; says Mayor Vera Olaru, who is teacher, by profession. "Some parents believe that the child is better at home, with his/her grandmother. The Mayor's Office, jointly with the social assistant, explained to the parents the importance of children's education within the Community Centre. Now, 28 children between the ages of 3 and 6 years benefit from free alimentation and education and the parents are happy that their children shall get ready for school."

Improving Access to Quality Preschool Education for Children with Special Needs (at High Risk) The number of children at risk is increasing in the Republic of Moldova. The quality of education can be ensured only through readjusting the system to the new challenges. In this respect, the "Education for All - FastTrack Initiative" Project has contributed to the establishment of Rehabilitation Centres for children with special needs. Rehabilitation Centre from Straseni town. Operates since February 201 O.lt has been established within the kindergarten no. 2 "Mugurel" from Straseni town.

Rehabilitation Centre from Criuleni town. It has been established within the kindergarten "Spicusor" from Criuleni town. Both centres have been provided with rehabilitation equipment, learning materials and vehicles.

An important role in the establishment of Rehabilitation Centres has been played by the national consultants: • Day Care Centre "Speranta" • Public Association "The Woman and the Child - Protection and Support" • Centre of Investigations and Consultancy "SocioPolis" • Educational Centre "Pro Didactica':

The Project has contributed to the renovat ion of rooms, provided furniture and equipment, trained the teaching staff and provided the necessary learning materials. The progress achieved was also due to the actions undertaken by the Mayors of the beneficiary communities: they have provided clothing and footwear to the children f rom families at risk, to children with special needs, total or partial exemption of these families from payments for alimentation, provision of books and other necessary commodities.

During the second year of the Project, 194 children with special needs have been enrolled in early education programmes.

Activities implemented under this component:

• Accomplishment of a national research study regarding the situation of children with special needs and their access to education.

• Two Rehabilitation Centres for children with special needs have been established (in Criuleni and Straseni).

• Both Rehabilitation Centres have been endowed with special rehabilitation equipment, furniture, toys, etc. books and vehicles for the children's transportation to the Centres.

• Educators from these institutions have been trained to offer inclusive education services.

• Parents from these two localities have been involved in trainings.

• Three inclusive kindergartens have been created (in Straseni, Criuleni and Nisporeni).

• Communication of successes attained and exchanges of experience have been carried out.

Further on, it is necessary to provide access to education for all the 3 403 early age children with disabilities currently registered in the country.

Adults Learn about Non-Discrimination from Children

Director Tatiana Cociu opened the door and said: "Your child shall attend the kindergarten~ The mother sat on a corner of the chair, stealthily wiped off a tear and murmured: , I did not believe this was possible ... " It was September 1 2010 at kindergarten no. 7 "Povestea" from Nisporeni.

Sandu is 6 years old; he is a child with special needs. He was born with the Down syndrome and has been diagnosed with mental retardation. When he first came to us, Sandu had communication problems': says Tatiana Cociu. "On the first day he hit the educator's assistant, who wore a white doctor's smock. He had problems in communicating with children, showing a sort of aggressiveness. It has not been easy, but we have established "trial period'; to see if we cold help Sandu integrate. One month and a half was enough. With patience and love we have succeeded~ relates the director of kindergarten "Povestea" Sandu's story.

Now Sandu plays with the other children, showing obvious development progress. He lovingly calls his educator Veruta, he loves his classmates and often brings them apples and nuts.

'~sa matter of fact, children do not manifest discriminatory attitudes. It is the adults who they learn discrimination from'; explains the director. One parent came to me to ask for the reason for which we accepted children with special needs in the kindergarten. I have explained that that would be best for everyone: children learn to accept people as they are'; says Tatiana Cociu.

Kindergarten no. 7 from Nisporeni started to operate as an inclusive institution (but with no official statute) since 2008, after having been included in the "Education for All- Fast Track Initiative" Project. At first, 9 children with special needs and from disadvantaged families were enrolled. Now the kindergarten "Povestea" is attended by all the 30 children with special needs from the neighbourhood, together with the other 7 90 children.

Sandu, as any other child with special needs, is not only in need of love, he also needs rehabilitation. "This is why we requested the Town Council to give us the statute of inclusive education and provide support in establishing a rehabilitation centre where these children would have the possibility to develop according to their specific needs. In such a manner we could endow a room with the necessary equipment and could hire specialists to work with these children'; explains the director.

In a year or two Sandu shall go to school. "The continuity of inclusive education from kindergarten to school is very important. Children with special needs who have attended the kindergarten have more chances to go to a community school, compared to their fellows~ stresses Tatiana Cociu.

"Observing the way in which children communicate, learn together, we, the adults, learn non-discrimination~ says Tatiana Cociu, director of inclusive kindergarten from Nisporeni.

A recent UNICEF Innocenti Report, "Children and Disability in Transition': finds that children with disabilities in the region still face stigma, as well as segregation into special schools - the dominant response to their needs. And while there is a move towards integrating these children into public schools In countries throughout the region, many countries - including the Republic of Moldova - do not have policies on special or inclusive education measures. As a result, children with disabilities are deprived oftheir right to receive education and are generally isolated from society.

Recent expert recommendations for improving the situation in the region call for changes in public attitudes, changes to the physical environments that exacerbate the impact of disability and greater participation of parents in decisions affecting their children- desiderates promoted under the "Education for All - Fast Track Initiative" Project.

Solutions for Integration of Children with Special Needs:

Samuel Diaconu is a 6 years old child, diagnosed with congenital thoracal­lumbar scoliosis. Since he acknowledged to be "different from the others'; he became less communicative and isolated. "There are times when he refuses to talk even to his elder brothers'; relates the boy's mother, Nadia Diaconu.

The mother says that the boy became more optimistic since he started attending, last year, the Rehabilitation Centre for children with special needs from kindergarten no. 2 from Straseni, established under the HEducation for All- Fast Track Initiative" Project. "He made new friends, learned to play on the computer, makes exercises. I am glad that he is seeing a kinetotherapist here. He is in great need of physical rehabilitation! I and my husband are working hard, but we could not afford the cost of daily sessions of kinetotherapy':

"Due to this initiative, the access of children with disabilities to education has increased~ says the kindergarten's director, Irina Nicula. 'There have also been improvements in the children's physical environment. With the specialists' support, they make exercises that contribute to the improvement of their physical and emotional condition. They also learn to integrate in the social environment, which, unfortunately, continues to stigmatize them':

In parallel, children from the Rehabilitation Centre attend the kindergarten, in ordinary groups, facing no significant integration difficulties.

The kindergarten no. 2 from Straseni became an inclusive institution for all and everyone - a statute obtained due to the contribution of the "Education for All - Fast Track Initiative" Project. The physchopedagogue Ala Diaconu says that the life of children with special needs from the Rehailitation Centre would be much easier if a personal assistant was hired in each inclusive goup, "like in the Occident': "Children would benefit from the necessary assistance and the educators, who have to deal with 25 children per group, would manage to perform their tasks easier. Parents would worry less': "Unfortunately, continues Ala Diaconu, the legislative framework guarantees care and education for children of pre-preschool age with physical and mental handicap, but within specialized institutions of boarding school type.

The director Irina Nicula mentions that "The draft version of the new Education Code includes, for the first time, the notions of community centre, inclusive group, and support teaching staff, personal assistants. As well, the Code stipulates provision, at the level of preschool, primary and gymnasium education, of logopedic services, psychopedagogic and psychological assistance, kinetotherapy etc. Until the new Education Code is approved, our Centre shall continue activating in accordance with the stipulations of the Early Education Community Centre Regulations, on the basis of which the rehabilitation staff has been hired':

Rehabilitation and Communication

Roman ita': the First Kindergarten for

Roma Children from Moldova Marcela, Sonia, David and Gherman Cobzaru are brothers and kindergarten group mates. In 2010, when a preschool institution has been, for the first time, established in Vu/canesti village, these children and all the villagers have discovered what a kindergarten was. Marcela is the eldest one; she is nine years old and is a school student. Sonia, who is seven, also goes to school. During summer, the girls were allowed to come to the kindergarten for the sake of their youngest brothers, David, who is 5 years old, and Gherman, almost 3 years old, who did not want to stay at the kindergarten without their sisters. This situation lasted until autumn, when the boys got accommodated and the girls started school.

The Cobzaru family is Roma, as are 95% of the inhabitants of Vulcanesti village of Cioresti commune, raion of Nisporeni. Their history does not differ much from the one of most of the village's inhabitants. The parents, who had no access to preschool education and have been mostly declaratively enrolled in the school one, do not have a profession or a stable working place.

The biggest problem of the Rom a people from Vulcanes ti is, probably, not the poverty, although they can barely scrape along, but the fact that the children do not have a promising future, says Vasilisa Cobzaru with regret, the mother of the four children. They would like their children to have a better life, have the opportunity to learn and obtain a profession. Since they have a kindergarten, children attend it regularly. The parents pay part of the money needed for daily alimentation. In a month they had to pay circa four hundred lei. "It was a lot for us, but we have received the social allowance for the children and paid. We bought drawing tools and books for them. We are very happy with the kindergarten. They teach them and feed them~ says the mother, who confesses that she would like to have had the opportunity to attend a kindergarten herself, in her childhood.

An Early Child Community Centre has been established in 2009 within the gymnasium from Vulcanesti village. At the beginning of 2010, the Centre became a full-programme kindergarten. Up to 50 children can benefit now from preschool education services, provided in conditions which they have never dreamed of: everything is new and clean, individual beds and closets, lavatory inside de building, hot running water, alimentation three times a day, books and plenty of toys.

All of these became possible due to joint efforts of a series of partners and the investment of 1 120 thousand lei that they have made. Over one half of the funds invested have been provided by the Local Council. The others have been provided by the Raion Council Nisporeni, the Swedish Development Agency and the National Roma Centre. The Ministry of Education, under the "Education for All -Fast Track Initiative" Project, provided the necessary endowments.

The kindergarten , Romanita" from Vulcanesti is unique. "It is an experiment kindergarten. It is the first preschool institution for Rom a children in Moldova at the moment'; says the President of the National Centre of Roma people from Moldova, Nicolae Radita. The Rom a leader recalls that in 2007 there was an idea to establish a preschool institution in the locality. At that time, they were alarmed by the fact that only a half of school age children were on record, and, in spite of the fact that officially less than a half of them attended school, a great deal less actually attended the classes.

The greatest success, after six months of work with these children, is the fact that they understand the Romanian language. Those who have attended the kindergarten on a regular basis know the letters and can count. They have learned to hold the pen and pencil correctly. Some of them write, with some assistance however. They have also learned poems, but less of them actually remembered them.

Now the children, to whom, until recently, any rule was an oddity, sit down at the table only after having washed their hands and start eating only after they have thanked the educator for having wished them "Bon appetit!': "Probably the most useful are the life skills which they have learned at the kindergarten'; considers the director Zinaida Triboi.

Valeriu Guru, the Mayor of Ciorasti commune, of which the Vu/canesti village is part of, says that it has been his long-standing dream to open a centre, or a kindergarten, where the children would have the opportunity to learn Romanian and get prepared for school. Now, when this dream came true, we have to work with the parents, says the Mayor, in order to make them realize the importance of preschool education for their children and to make them accept that this implies that part of responsibility lies on them.

E Improving the Quality of Early and Preschool Education

In 2008 education policy documents in early child education and preschool education have been developed under the "Education for All - FastTrack Initiative" Project:

• Curriculum for early and preschool education, 1-7 years • Learning and development standards for children of 5-7 years • National professional standards of the teaching staff • Guide in early and preschool education for the teaching staff

In 2010 the following documents have been developed: • Learning and development standards for children of 0-7 years

Professional standards for the early education teaching staff • Initial training for the teaching staff. Basic curriculum. Methodological Guide

Continuous training for the teaching staff. Basic curriculum. Methodological Guide Guide for educators "1 001 ideas for a quality early education"

• Guide for the territorial-administrative unit manager on establishing an Early Education Community Centre.

In order to support the teaching staff in applying the policy documents, four books for children have been printed under the Project:

• ''DELIA goes to school': Big Book • "At home': civic education book • uThe house from the tree': Big Book • "My friends: we are the same, we are different'; civic education book.

Many of the policy documents, guides, studies have been accomplished out of the funds of the Education Programmes Development Fund associated to the Catalytic Fund, and with UNICEF support.

A small research with regards to the impact of some of the learning materials mentioned above (Curriculum, Standards, Guide and the books for children "At home" and "Delia goes to school") has proven their utility in promoting changes at the institutional level.

78% of preschool institutions undertook at least 2 methodological-operational changes as a result of standards and curriculum implementation. Results confirm the acknowledgement of the role of educator-child-parent-school partnership in the field of education. 71.3% of kindergartens carried out events to disseminate child-centered practices at the institutions' level (according to the new Curriculum). This proves both the utility of the developed documents, as well as the willingness of preschool institutions' staff to apply them in their everyday practice and disseminate the results.

In order to support efforts at the policy level, a series of documents have been developed:

• National Strategy ,Education for All" 2004-2015, approved through the Government Decision no. 410 dated April4 2003 • Consolidated Strategy in Education, 2006-2008 • Regulations on establishment and operation of the Early development of children of 3-6(7) years old, approved through

the Government Decision no. 567 dated 10.09.2009, modified and completed through the Government Decision no. 761 dated 19.08.2010.

The Education Sector National Strategy (201 0-201 5) is currently under development.

Studies Accomplished

• Study "Evaluation of knowledge, attitudes and practices in early education at the institutional level': Developed in 2009 by the Centre of Sociological, Political and Psychological Analysis and Research CIVIS for Ministry of Education and the World Bank.

• Study "Documentation of the experience in the field of early child education and implementation of the "Education for All- Fast Track Initiative" Project in Moldova': Carried out in 2009 by the Public Policies Institute for UNICEF.

• Study on the situation of children with special needs and their access to education at the national level. Implemented in 2009 by the Investigations and Consultancy Centre "SocioPolis" for Ministry of Educat ion.

• Study"Equity and inclusion in education. Instruments for supporting planning and evaluation of the educational sector': Developed in 2009 by the Educational Centre "ProDidactica" for Ministry of Education.

• Two surveys regarding access to early education in the Project's localities and in the country, accomplished by the Project's team.

• Project impact study. Accomplished in 2010 by "AXA Management Consulting" company for Ministry of Education.

Quality early education, under the 'lEd ucation for All - Fast Track Initiative'/ Project means:

• A child friendly environment renovated rooms endowed with books and toys accessible to children.

• Child centered education, qualified educators, organizing learning activities by interest centres based on children needs.

• A family open to changes, this implies parents actively involved in the child's education, conscious of their role and of the kindergarten's role in the child's education, becoming thus equal partners in the educational process.

• A community oriented towards partnership, this means a community implementing projects for children from the community, open to innovations and that supports the efforts of the community's education institutions.

• An Education for All and Everyone, and namely an inclusive education focused on the needs of every child.

Training of Teaching and Administrative Staff Upgrading the professional level of the preschool education teaching staff represents an important objective of the education system reform in the Republic of Moldova. Teaching staff training is a continuous process requiring all counterparts' involvement.

Training of the teaching staff from preschool education sector is realized at two levels:

1. Initial training of teaching and managerial staff in colleges and universities.

2. Continuous t raining offered by vario'Us NGOs, educational centres, organizations licensed in the field.

The "Education for All - Fast Track Initiative" Project supported training activities that contribute to quality training at both levels.

During Project's implementat ion, a clear continuous t raining strategy, focused on quality, has been traced out:

ucascade" training of2947

teaching and administrative

staff

Train ing offered by 481ocal

mentors (ofthe 100 trained

ones}

Strategies stages of the teaching staff training

under the "Education for All"

Project

Training at the national level of 4034 teaching and administrative

staff

Institutional training for 937 educators from

beneficiary institutions

In order to ensure the durability of investments made under the "Education for All- Fast Track Initiative" Project, local trainers and mentors have been involved in training activities, together with national trainers.

Continuous training services have been offered by the following national consultants: Educational Programme "Step by Step'; Educational Centre "Pro Didactica'; Day Care Centre "Speranta'; Association "The Woman and the Child - protection and support".

In Peciste, the Education is For All

DonieiBounegru is only 4 years old, but he has already known the suffering of being abandoned. His parents left him at home and went to Portugal. For one year the child lives in his uncle's family, spending most of his time with his aunt, Tamara Anton. The woman educates him in a way she knows best, according to traditions, through work. She teaches him household works. Small as he is, Daniel feeds the hens, pastures the ducks, and brings them water. Although his uncle's family offers him all the conditions of a decent life- shelter, food, warmth and love - Daniel misses his parents. They had to leave to Lisbon in order to earn money to build their house. Every month they send money to the boy's uncle for Daniel's maintenance. They have promised to come home in spring, in a visit. The boy fears that they will not manage to come, as it often happened with the parents of other children from the neighborhood.

For almost two decades there was no kindergarten In Peclste village. In 7 992, the kindergarten was closed because of the lack of financing, it ruined afterwards. As a matter of fact, the same was the situation with most of preschool education institutions from Moldova. For 18 years children of early age from Peciste had been deprived from education. Daniel is luckier though: he has the opportunity to attend the kindergarten.

The reopening of the kindergarten from Peciste village was for the villagers the most important event of the past 78 years. Headed by the Mayor, Tudor Bivol, they have mobilized to renovate the kindergarten within only 6 months, having benefited from the support of the "Education for All - Fast Track lnttiative" Project.

Now the 86 4-7 years old children from Peciste attend the preschool mstitution, which has a capacity of one hundred and ten places.

The five educators and the manager of the preschool institution benefited from trainings carried under the project and are happy that they can apply the Professional Standards and other education policy documents in the children's education process.

"If until now we had an educator-centered education, now the emphasis is put on child-entered education~ mentions Lidia Proaspat, the kindergarten's director. "The methods and instruments of child-centered education are more diverse, more accessible and more captivating for the children. I am Impressed by the inspiration and the way that the educators from the "Education for All" Project's localities work with the children': If now, for instance, the child is not willing to learn a poem, he is offered an alternative-drawing, modeling or something else. The child is developing freely, assisted by the educator. We are at the beginning of the road and we hope to benefit from additional continuous training in the field'; says the director.

•we are finally able to offer to our children, but also to the educators, adequate conditions for activities~ says, with confidence, the Mayor of Peciste village, Tudor Bivol, happy that at least his grandchildren shall have the opportunity to attend the kindergarten.

Victoria Romanescu, the youngest educator, confesses that she could have left abroad to work, as did many of the villagers, including educators who lost their working place. "I did not leave due to the fact that the kindergarten has been reopened and now I con work here. Here we can make the life of our children better':

An Interactive Exercise of Child Centered Education for the Methodologists from the Raion of Cimislia

The children from "Foisor" kindergarten from the town of Cimislia have learned to weight different objects at the centre of"Mahematics and Sciences': have modeled in the centre of "Arts" and, at the end, have created their own book in the centre of "Literacy': All these activities have been accomplished under an interactive training exercise for the methodologists and managers from the raion of Cimislia, carried by the "Education for All - Fast Track Initiative" Project.

The children were enchanted: "/liked most of all to confection a chicken out of flour and water': "And I made a duck!"

While the children were working in the curricular centres (areas), kindergarten directors and methodologists sat on the chairs, taking notes.

"Until now, the educator and the child were close, but not together. Under the Project we attempt to promote that the educator and the child be together: work together, think together and grow together: the first one professionally and the second one- to become a Great Personality~ explains Lia Sclifos, the Project's coordinator.

'This seminar is also oriented towards improving the teaching staff capacities to organize their educational process taking rise from the child's needs and interests': says Natalia Zotea, national trainer from the Educational Centre "Step by Step':

"Benefits are bigger and changes are more dipper when renovations from kindergartens are accompanied by training of managers and educators, by a methodological and didactic support, by endowments with equipment and furniture, adequate for a child'; says Nadejda Velisco, Executive Director of the "Education for All - Fast Track Initiative" Project.

Consolidation of Social Partnership and Involvement of Communities in Early Child Development Programmes Communities have been mobilized and social partnerships have been built through the national communication and community mobilization campaign "Help the child become a Great Personality!': focused on enrolling ch ildren from disadvantaged families in preschool education programmes.

The campaign "Help the child become a Great Personality!" included:

• Creation and training of 82 community teams constituted of 425 community agents • Ensuring communication between parents and their fellow-villagers with a view to enrolling children from

disadvantaged families in preschool education programmes.

In such a way, further to the implementation of the campaign in the Project's localities, 1 672 children from disadvantaged families have been enrolled in preschool education programmes.

Partnerships created under the social mobilization campaign 11Help the child become a Great Personality!"

Partners of the campaign 11Help the child 1. Communities 2. Local Public Administrations 3. Personalities - "Great Persons·: participants in the

Project's actions 4. Company MOLDCELL 5. Company TELERADIO Moldova 6. OWH TV Studio 7. ODORAS Magazine 8. NGO National Centre of Roma People 9. NGO Centre of Information and Documentation

Regarding the Child's Rights 1 0. NGO Association of people with special needs

"Motivation" 11 NGO ARTIStudio 1 2. Training Centre CMB 13. National Federation of Gymnastics 14. Centre of Journalistic Investigations.

The Project brings evidence to the fact that it is sufficient to support at the initial stage the communitarian initiatives for kindergartens' renovations, so as to obtain results:

• The number of children who have access to education increases

• LPA gets actively involved in solving community problems in partnership with teaching staff, parents and other community agents The community becomes more active and consolidated

• Preschool institutions become active and known community partners

• The community obtains additional financing based on accumulated experience Examples of active communities stimulate other communities to involve.

In order to support the efforts of community teams, two documentary movies and two TV spots have been realized. 9 editions of the Newsletter EDUCATION FOR ALL have been edited and the Project's web page www.prescolar.edu.md has been permanently updated.

become a Great Personality!''

Children Have Learned JJWho Was Four children, with their eyes fastened on the road, are seen daily by their neighbors. They are waiting for their father, who, years ago, left for Italy in search of job. They are now in the care of their mother and grandparents. "We want him back home; children cannot grow without a father. They need education and I am too busy with the household'; confesses Galin a Glavan, the mother of two 3 years old twin sisters and of two boys of 6 and 7 years old. "Given the situation, the newly-renovated kindergarten where my girls go every day is a real way out; says Galina Glavan.

One day, the two twin girls, together with the other children from the kindergarten, have witnessed an unprecedented event- "Help the child become a Great Personality through theatre!~ carried under the "Education for All - Fast Track Initiative" Project. Actors, together with the employees of MOLDCELL Mobile Company, have participated in a puppets confectioning workshop.

The workshop was moderated by Galin a Molotov, artist­scenographer, and Maria Madan, actor, acting technique pedagogue. The children, together with their parents, have confectio ned 20 puppets for 3 fairy tales: "The Goat and her three Kids'; "The Radish" and "The three little pigs':

The play for children, entitled "The best father~ was presented by the puppeteer dynasty Madan: Maria, Andrei and Cozmin - the grandmother, the son and the grandson - accompanied by actresses Irina Boiarchina and Ludmila Sorocean.

For several years, the mobile telephony company MOLDCELL is the partner of the "Education for All" Project. "Help the child become a Great Personality through theatre!" is the fourth community event attended voluntarily by the employees of MOLDCELL. This time we came to Panasesti together with our children to promote the idea of free communication between parents and children. Good life conditions are not sufficient for a child's education. We need to talk to our children, play with hem, read them fairy tales~ said Rodica Verbeniuc, MOLDCELL Corporate Communication Unit head.

the Best Father''

he Village of Cucuruzeni Has a New Kindergarten, Worth the Whole Community's Budge

Alexandru Turcan is a boy with curious eyes and an intelligent look. During half of his four years' life, this child has made sacrifices comparable to an adult's ones. Every day he used to wake up early, at 6 am, to go to the closest kindergarten, located in the neighboring village, at a distance of 5 km. Sleepy, he was waiting for the bus, together with other children and parents. "It was most difficult in winter, in cold. There were days when we froze hard waiting for the bus. Alexandru was crying, asking "mammy, let's go home~ I was trying to explain him that we had to go to the kindergarten. When on my way back home, tears streamed down my cheeks- so frozen I was'; recalls Alexandru's mother, Ana Turcan.

In the summerof2010, the life of Alexandru and his family has radically changed. They shall not have to wake up early in the morning, in cold or heat. Starting with August 2010, in the village of Cucuruzeni of Orhei raion, village, where Turcan family lives, a new kindergarten, which Cucuruzeni has not even dreamed of and which they have waited for 79 years, shall be opened.

The villagers recall year 1991 with hard feelings - this was the year when their houses from the lowland have been inundated. Following this, villagers have moved their houses higher on the hill, whereas the kindergarten, destroyed by the waters, has not been reconstructed.

Tat/ana Guriuc worked as educator before the inundation. She recalls that the few groups of children have been evacuated to the old hospital and in the kolkhoz's warehouse, which had no heating. During the past years we have managed to identify a room in the locality's school, to host the kindergarten. "Children used to come to the preschool group practically unprepared. They did not know anything. They could not even hold a pencil in their hand~ says Alexandru's educator.

The kindergarten from the neighboring village was attended, beside Alexander, by another 7 3 children from Cucuruzeni. Some parents drove their children by car or bicycle, but the best majority took the 7 am bus. In order to save time, but also money, parents often used to leave their children in the care of Tamara Conica, who, in the past few years, has been working as educator at the kindergarten from the neighboring village. "Drivers used to call me Mother Theresa: They were already used with me paying for everyone's travel costs'; says she with a smile; she is now the director of kindergarten "Romanita" from Cucuruzeni.

In Cucuruzeni, before the kindergarten's opening, only one out of ten children had access to early education. The others had to stay at home.

The locality's Mayor, Grigore Neg uta, who has grown up children, recalls how difficult it was for his family during the times when there was no kindergarten. "Both of us, parents were working and the children used to stay at home, getting bored. Once my neighbor found my youngest daughter, who, together with his daughter, were about to fire a haystack. What would have happened had not I got there on time? There were many cases when children, unattended by adults, scalded themselves, or got other injuries'; recalls the Mayor.

Once with his appointment for the position of Mayor, Grigore Neg uta made his best to rebuild the kindergarten. In 2007 he started the first works, with the Mayor's Office's funds, but these funds were insufficient. In 2010 the have been selected by Ministry of Education to benefit from support under the "Education for All- Fast Track Initiative~~ Project.

Investments in the renovation and endowment of kindergarten from Cucuruzeni amount at over 1.5 million lei, which constitutes approximately the locality's annual budget. "For the village this is an enormous investment - a lot of people contributed to it: he Project, the raion and local council, the villagers, the Social Investment Fund, the parents'; says the Mayor.

In the first week of August, the kindergarten's doors have been opened for all villagers, who came here as to a museum. "It is fair that they see how the money that they invested has been spent. And to see for themselves that that their children shall benefit from quality education'; says the Mayor. "And the future beneficiaries - the children-spent here several days to adapt'; added the director, Tamara Conica.

Today Alexandru sits on a carpet, building together with other children, a house of blocks. The boy says with a smile on his face that he likes it there. He also says that he is happy that he does not need any more to wake so early in the morning. And that he would come to the kindergarten with his mother. Ana Turcan is one of the 13 persons who, due to this investment, now have a working place. The Turcan family is one of the village's 820 families that will directly and indirectly benefit from the Project.

Successes of the ,Education for All Fast Tack Initiative" Project • The Project's achievements were in the foreground of the International

Conference regarding Early Child Development, held in Chisinau during October 12-13 2009.

• Education policy documents developed under the Project have been solicited as a valuable resource under the International Conference held in Moscow on June 23 2010, with the title "The perspectives of the training of teaching staff in early education: policies, researches, quality and innovation'~

• The Project's website www.prescolar.edu.md, with information available in three languages (Romanian, Russian and English), has been mentioned during the International Conference f rom Moscow as a useful source to be considered under implementation of similar projects, as well as for documentation purposes and training of specialists in early child education.

• The UN Global Report on good practices in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, edited in New York, presented Moldova's experience in ensuring access to education for all children. The report includes also a case study dedicated to Moldova:. "Republic of Moldova: Education for All- FastTack Initiative'~ Four initiatives of the Ministry of Education and Local Public Administrations, implemented under the "Education for All - Fast Track Initiative" Project, have been disseminated as good practices and included in the"Good Practices Guide for Local Public Authorities': developed by the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (I DIS) "Viitorul'~

• The Mayor of Cioresti village of the raion of Nisporeni, Valeriu Gutu, has been awarded the distinction "The best Roma Mayor~ the Mayor himself being of other than Rom a ethnicity. The manager of Kindergarten no. 1 from the town of Nisporeni, Tatiana Cociu, has been awarded a special Government premium - Diploma of excellence of the first degree - "For significant contribution to early education':

• The President of the raion of Nisporeni, I on Munteanu, has been awarded a Diploma of excellence of Ministry of Education, for contribution in promoting early education.

• Six representatives of the Local Public Administration and seven kindergarten managers have been awarded Diplomas of excellence by Ministry of Education and "Mold cell" Company, for promoting the values of education for all. The kindergarten from village of Panasesti, raion of Straseni and the kindergarten from Nisporeni town have been awarded diplomas by the Raion Councils and the title "The most prepared preschool institution" in the school year 2010-2011.

• The team of the "Education for All- Fast Track Initiative" Project has been nominated for the Human Rights Awards 2010 under the conquest for the best human rights promotion actions, carried out annually by the United Nations Organiz.ation in Moldova.

General Conclusions Impact on the Educational System • Policy documents developed under the Project have facilitated the reforms launched in the field of early

education (Curriculum, Education and Development Standards for Children from Birth to 7 years, Professional Standards, Educators Guide etc.).

• Training of specialists from the early education sector (administrative staff from kindergartens, educators from preschool institutions, teachers from pedagogical universities and colleges, representatives of Raional Education Directorates etc.), capable to support the launched reforms.

• Changes in the attitudes of teaching staff with respect to upgrading professional competences. • Taking over good practices in early education and their replication at the national level. • Changes in the mentality and attitudes of parents, teachers and administrative staff with respect to early

education. • Building the preschool institution - family - community partnership.

Equitable Access to Early Education and the Quality of Education • Children left without parental care, migrants' children, poor children, children from rural area or those

representing the Roma community, children with special needs and marginalized children are in greatest need of early education programmemes.

• The Project's beneficiary communities are the most active ones in promoting early education programmes.

• Parental abilities should be improved among young parents, especially among those f rom rural areas or from disadvantaged families, because they lack parental knowledge and abilities to offer the necessary development conditions for their children.

• During Project's implementation, the rate of enrolment of 3-6(7) years old children in kindergartens is increasing: from 68.5% in 2006 up to 74% in 2009 and that of 5-6 (7) years o ld children- from 74.2% in 2006 up to 80% in 2009.

• Due to trainings offered, monitoring visits carried out and endowments provided, the preschool institutions, including Community Centres, provide now education services of better quality.

• A better quality of the educational services is obtained through applying the didactic materials.

Sustainability • During the past years the Government has ensured a continuous increase of funds allocated in the early

education sector: from circa 433 million lei in 2005 up to 943 million lei in 2008. This tendency shall be maintained during the coming years: from circa 1 028 million lei in 2009 up to 1 167 million lei in 201 1.

• The established community teams shall continue their activity after the Project's finalization. • Training of teaching staff, LPA and Raional Education Directorates' representatives contributed to

consolidation of dynamic and successful communities. • The systemic approach with respect to early education creates the context for improving quality in

education. • Sustainability of renovated preschool institutions and of the newly-established Community Centres is

supported through community mobilization and communication activities, thus consolidating social partnerships in favour of early education.

Future Steps

Ensuring Universal Access to Early Education Services Extending early education services in 230 villages that lack kindergartens. Reducing by 10% the discrepancy between the early education enrollment rate in the rural and urban areas.

Improving the Quality of Early Education • Initial and continuous training of teaching and managerial staff. • Improving physical conditions and the learning environment. • Promoting inclusive education at the national level. • Promoting parental education. • Consolidating community partnerships for early education.

Cooperating with the social protection system with a view to ensuring observance of the rights of children from disadvantaged families (including Roma children, migrants' children and children with special needs).

Ensuring an efficient usage of funds in the early education sector.

Grant's Management System • The Project's Steering

Committee, chaired by the Minister of Education, which holds the role of a supervising council.

• The Project's Executive Director, a representative of the Ministry of Education.

• The Project's Advisory Group, offering technical support to the Executive Director with the aim of achieving the grant's objectives.

• The Project's management team, created for the implementation of Project activities.

- - ---,..,.

..., ' ·~ ' .

. .......::;

AREWELL, Dear Kindergarten! Particular gratitude is expressed to the Project's People, 2009-201 0

Lia Sclifos, Project Coordinator

Guzun1 Communication and

Community Mobilization Specialist

Gratitude is also expressed to: Viorelia Moldovan-Batrinac, Deputy Minister of Education, Project Executive Director Valentin Crudu, Deputy Minister of Education, Project Executive Director Galin a Bulat, Deputy Minister of Education, Project Executive Director Igor Fetiniuc, Project Coordinator Nicoleta Panta, Communication and Community Mobilization Specialist Iurie Varian, Communication Specialist lon Lazar, Financial Specialist Petru Sula, Project Assistant Neli Balode, Project Assistant

Nicolae Gogu, Financial Specialist

Avast Track lmt1ative