What procedures and conditions of access to different levels of education in the Republic of Moldova are provided to Ukrainians who are in its territory in the status of refugee or temporary protection, and what documents do they need to submit to receive educational services from preschool education to higher education?
The Republic of Moldova provides the right to education for all, including foreigners. The legislation allows foreigners to access education through the national education system, and education authorities establish conditions for the recognition and equivalence of foreign education for enrolment in the national system.
Preschool education
As a rule, kindergartens are available for Ukrainian children, and they can be enrolled through a simplified procedure. To go through the enrollment process, parents will generally need to present a certificate from the accommodation center where they are staying and their refugee/temporary protection document.
During kindergarten registration the following documents are typically required:
· completed application form;
· identification documents for parents;
· child's birth certificate and medical certificate (PCR test is not required).
Please note that a list of schools and kindergartens available for children in the Republic of Moldova can be accessed through the provided link.
Secondary Education
The Ministry of Education and Research in Moldova has approved Instructions for the enrollment of children from Ukrainian refugee families into general education institutions. According to this document, a child can be enrolled as a student after the recognition and equivalence of their period of school education in the appropriate manner. Until this procedure is completed, the child will have the status of a "listener." This includes participating in the educational process without mandatory school attendance, with the child's registration in a temporary journal.
To enroll a child in a school in Moldova, parents or legal guardians should submit an application to the Local Specialized Education Authority of the local public administration, depending on their place of temporary residence.
The application should include the following information:
· general information about the child (last name, first name, date, and place of birth);
· general information about one of the parents (last name, first name, date, and place of birth);
· indication of the language of instruction/communication;
· place of temporary residence in the Republic of Moldova;
· contact phone or email of one of the parents;
· COVID-19 certificate (issued by the Temporary Accommodation Center or the local Family Doctors' Center, depending on the location).
If you do not have documents regarding the child's academic performance, the school may establish its own assessment mechanisms for the recognition and equivalence of periods of education.
Higher Education
Ukrainian students can continue their studies at universities in Moldova. The list of available higher education institutions and instructions can be found on the website under the "Education" section.
To enroll in local universities, Ukrainian students must apply for the "mobility education" program and provide the necessary documents. Please note that each specific educational institution in the Republic of Moldova has its own requirements and a list of necessary documents. The minimum package required to continue education includes an identity document, a certificate of temporary protection status or refugee status, and a certificate of education from a Ukrainian higher education institution. Students who cannot prove their previous education with documents issued by a Ukrainian higher education institution will undergo testing for admission to Moldovan universities.
Important! The list of state universities in the Republic of Moldova available for Ukrainian students in the 2023-2024 academic year.
Language Courses
Free language courses in Romanian are available for Ukrainians who want to learn the language. These courses are organized by various institutions, including:
- ROBOTA;
- ICTPD;
- CCR;
In addition, there are opportunities to participate in other educational programs, details of which can be found at the provided link.
