Quality Education in the Rural Areas of Moldova

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The Quality Education in Rural Areas Project supports the Government's education program, articulated in the Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy, and also nested in the first strategy and action plan for the education sector (2006-2008), currently under preparation. Component 1 - improved teaching and learning in rural schools - will enhance the quality of teaching and learning in rural schools, in particular that of the upper grades in the secondary education level. To this end, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) three core pedagogical systems will be strengthened: curriculum upgrade and modernization, and provision of new educational materials and textbooks; professional development for teachers and staff on the structure and contents of the new curriculum; and, objective, professional, and efficient evaluation and monitoring, and student assessment. Component 2 - increased access and equity in rural schools - should provide additional resources to poor rural schools and communities, to improve the quality of, and access to adequate education. The component will also strengthen the capacity of schools to manage priorities, resources, and educational outcomes. Component 3 - increased efficiency in the use of resources - to improve the system's efficiency in public spending for education, and in the application of resources in the context of projected demographic trends. Component 4 - strengthened education planning and monitoring - will build the capacity of the MEYS in the management of the education system, by strengthening its competence to promote and monitor policies and programs. This component will develop human resources within the education sector to enhance policy and monitoring at the ministerial level, and, to improve the education management and administration at the Raion level, i.e., the Raion education administration department.