A National Erasmus Agency will be established to contribute to more effective management of mobility, cooperation and best-practice exchange opportunities for pupils, students, teachers and educational institutions. Its creation is provided for in the 2026–2030 Implementation Program of the “Education 2030” Strategy, approved by the Government today, TRIBUNA reports.

The approved program provides for approximately 13.5 billion lei to be invested in the development of Moldova’s education system over the next five years. The investments will cover all levels of education — from nurseries and kindergartens to vocational technical education and universities — as well as support for teachers, research and the digitalization of the system.

“By 2030, we want to see positive changes in all educational institutions — in every kindergarten, school, college and university. We are talking about better conditions for children and teachers, modernized schools, a more relevant curriculum, more opportunities for young people and more competitive universities. We have a clear plan for the next five years, with investments and results that we are committed to achieving,” said Minister of Education and Research Dan Perciun.

In early childhood and general education, the program provides for the creation of 5,000 nursery places, the equipping of at least 400 schools and kindergartens, the renovation of sanitary facilities, and the development of a network of 90 model schools. The curriculum will also be revised, with the goal of increasing the lower-secondary graduation exam pass rate to at least 90% by 2030. Another target is to improve results in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which measures the reading, mathematics and science skills of 15-year-old students.

In vocational technical education, at least 3,000 students will enroll in dual education programs, with the involvement of at least 300 private-sector companies. Study programs will be aligned with the Qualifications Framework and the requirements of the green transition, making them more relevant to the labor market.

Dual education will also be expanded to the university level, with at least 1,000 students expected to participate. At the same time, universities aim to attract at least 3,000 international students annually and achieve a 50% graduate employment rate. Measures are planned to strengthen academic integrity, including the use of anti-plagiarism systems and supervised assessments, as well as investments in academic buildings, student dormitories, laboratories and recreational spaces. Efforts will also be made to support STEAM fields by increasing scholarships for students who choose these programs.

The program also focuses on strengthening the quality of higher education and research through the external evaluation of doctoral programs, with the aim of ensuring quality standards compatible with European standards and increasing the competitiveness of research in Moldova.

In research and innovation, research infrastructure, public-private partnerships, technology-transfer instruments and the e-Research information system will be developed. These measures will be supported by an allocation of 100 million lei from the state budget and the mobilization of approximately 400 million lei in external funding for research and innovation. At the same time, Moldova will continue its participation in the Horizon Europe program.

The program also establishes a clear framework for fulfilling the commitments undertaken under Chapters 25, “Science and Research,” and 26, “Education and Culture,” and for bringing the national system closer to the priorities of the European Education and Research Area.

Another priority is support for teachers. More than 5,000 education-sector employees will benefit from the “Investing in Educators” program, while more than 25,000 will benefit from the “Investing in Teachers” program. Mentoring programs and psychological counseling services for teachers will also be provided.

Regarding the digitalization of education, plans include certifying teachers’ digital competencies according to DigCompEdu and developing 3,000 digital content units. By 2030, the goal is for 100% of graduates to reach B1 level in digital competencies. A national program on the use of artificial intelligence in education will also be implemented.

The total estimated cost of the program for 2026–2030 is 13.464 billion lei. Of this amount, 3.705 billion lei, or 27.5%, will be provided from the state budget, while 7.956 billion lei, equivalent to 59.1%, will come from external assistance provided by development partners, international financial institutions and the European Union.

External assistance will be directed primarily toward infrastructure investments, including projects contracted with international financial institutions under the Moldova Growth Plan.

The Ministry of Education and Research will coordinate the implementation of the program in cooperation with central and local public authorities, educational institutions and development partners. Progress will be monitored through periodic reports and interim evaluations, allowing actions and indicators to be adjusted based on the results achieved.