Moldova's Education Crisis: A Looming Teacher Shortage

Moldova Faces Critical Teacher Shortage: Rural Schools Hit Hardest Moldova's education system is grappling with a severe teacher shortage, particularly affecting rural schools. The average age of educators has reached 50, and many are nearing retirement without adequate replacements. This crisis is impacting the quality of education for thousands of students across the country. Larisa Lungu, principal of the Anatolie Sirghi Gymnasium in Talmaza, Stefan Voda district, expressed her concern: "Next year, we urgently need teachers of physics, mathematics, and Romanian." The school currently has 282 students and only 22 teachers, several of whom are nearing retirement. Similar challenges are evident in other rural areas, such as the Anastasia Dicescu Gymnasium in Galiesti, Straseni district, where half the teaching staff have retired. Dan Perjun, the Minister of Education, acknowledged the problem, stating that the system is "not getting younger." The government is offering financial incentives to attract new teachers, including a one-time bonus of up to 200,000 lei. However, the low salaries compared to other sectors remain a significant obstacle. Despite efforts to increase salaries and attract new graduates, the teacher shortage persists, underscoring the need for comprehensive solutions to secure the future of Moldova's education system.