According to andyeducation, Moldova is a small Eastern European country that has undergone significant educational reforms since gaining independence in 1991. The educational system in Moldova consists of three stages: pre-primary, primary and secondary education. Pre-primary education is not compulsory, but it is available for children between the ages of 3 and 6 years old. Primary schooling consists of 8 grades and is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 14 years old. Secondary education consists of 4 grades (grades 9-12) which are not compulsory but strongly encouraged as they prepare students for higher education or employment opportunities. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Research (MECR) oversees the administration, regulation and evaluation of the educational system in Moldova. MECR also develops curricula, establishes regulations for accreditation and quality assurance, coordinates international cooperation programs and provides financial support to students through grants, scholarships and other forms of assistance. At all levels of education there are public schools as well as private schools that offer a variety of curricula including national curricula based on the Moldovan national standards as well as international curricula such as Cambridge International Examinations or International Baccalaureate programs. In terms of higher education, there are two main types: universities that offer bachelor’s degrees in a variety of fields such as engineering, law or medicine; and specialized institutions that offer diplomas or certificates in areas such as business administration or computer science. Admission into universities requires successful completion of secondary school exams while admission into specialized institutions requires successful completion of exams administered by MECR every year. Overall, Moldova’s educational system provides citizens with quality educational opportunities throughout their academic lives allowing them to gain knowledge that will help them succeed in their chosen career paths upon completion of their studies thanks largely due to initiatives implemented by the government aimed at improving student performance ensuring that all individuals have access to quality education regardless of socio-economic background or location within the country. See educationvv for Moldova educational systems.
