Internet operators with the support of the Competitiveness Project of Moldova (USAID) will provide schools in the country with high-speed Internet and will contribute to the development of digital education.
This is provided for by a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research, Moldova Competitiveness Project, TEKWILL project, as well as Internet providers Orange Moldova, Starnet, Moldcell and Moldtelecom. The memorandum provides for cooperation between the government, the private sector and development partners in the process of connecting the country's schools to the Internet and using digital technologies in education. As the head of the Moldova Competitiveness Project Doina Nistor noted, the digitalization of educational processes is one of the mandatory elements of modern society, and Moldova, following international trends and in the context of a pandemic, must adapt the education system to the digital age. The trilateral cooperation is aimed at creating a modern digital educational ecosystem and developing digital and modern skills among teachers and students of Moldovan schools. Within the framework of the memorandum, it is planned to connect at least half of 1240 schools in Moldova to high-speed Internet; ensure that children from disadvantaged families are involved in the educational process and have access to the Internet; promote the creation of digital infrastructure and the purchase of modern equipment (interactive tables, mobile charging stations, robotics, etc.); increase the digital literacy of teachers and students; to ensure the use of Google in education, etc. USAID Moldova Head Scott Hocklander expressed confidence that joining efforts will contribute to further digitalization of the education system and sustainable development of the next generation. “Analyzing the situation and specific figures that show that before the pandemic, only about 15% of Moldovan teachers used digital technologies in the education process, we realized how important the development of digital skills in the learning process and for future employment is. And just as important is access to digital infrastructure, ”said Hocklander. He stressed that partners from the private sector have systematically supported the country's schools, including during the pandemic. At the same time, USAID, in cooperation with other partners in the framework of various projects, has so far invested about $ 2 million in the field of STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) in Moldova. These funds were used to equip more than 200 schools in the country with computers and modern technologies and provided access for at least 3 thousand students to classes with robotics and other modern devices. // 03.06.2021 — InfoMarket
