European, global and intercultural dimension in curriculum development 

The integration of the European, global and intercultural dimension in early childhood and school education in the Republic of Moldova is provided both in educational policy documents and at the curriculum level.

The Education Code of the Republic of Moldova states that state policy in the field of education aims to ensure the achievement of educational ideals and objectives, the formation of national awareness and identity, and the promotion of universal human values, as well as society’s aspirations towards European integration.

The Code also defines the promotion of intercultural dialogue, a spirit of tolerance, non-discrimination, and social inclusion, as well as the fostering of civic responsibility and active citizenship, as part of the mission of education.

Furthermore, the Education Code highlights that the educational ideal of schools in the Republic of Moldova is to develop individuals with initiative and the capacity for self-development, who possess not only the knowledge and competences required for participation in the labour market, but also independence of thought and action, and openness to intercultural dialogue, based on both national and universal values.

National Curriculum Framework promotes a set of curriculum policy principles, including the principle of alignment with the national and international sociocultural context. The Framework curriculum for primary, lower secondary and upper secondary education includes the subject Education for Society, which promotes democratic culture, human rights and intercultural competences across different levels of education. Socio-humanistic education is taught from primary to upper secondary level and is integrated into general social science subjects, such as history, geography and other related disciplines within the national curriculum.

Teaching/learning of foreign languages

The Education Code of the Republic of Moldova regulates the study of foreign languages and stipulates that the educational process is conducted in Romanian and, within the possibilities of the educational system, in one of the foreign languages. According to the Code, one of the educational objectives is the development of communication competence in foreign languages.

In line with the European Union Council Recommendation of 22 May 2018 on promoting common values, inclusive education and the European dimension of teaching, and the Council Resolution of 21 November 2008 on a European strategy for multilingualism, the Minister of Education and Research approved the Framework for the Implementation of Multilingual Education. The Framework includes an Action Plan for 2025–2030 aimed at introducing multilingual education in minority-language schools. The initiative seeks to diversify educational provision by expanding teaching and learning in multiple languages of instruction.

The framework curriculum for primary, lower secondary and upper secondary education provides for the study of foreign languages at all levels of education, both as a first and second foreign language of instruction. In primary education, the first foreign language is taught from the second grade, for two to three hours per week. In lower secondary and upper secondary education, from the fifth grade onwards, a second foreign language is also introduced and both foreign languages are taught throughout the entire period of secondary education. The development of communicative competence in a foreign language is guided by the Foreign Language Curriculum.

Partnerships and networks

In school education (general secondary and vocational), the international partnerships are provided through broader European programme eTwinning and other international programmes such as FLEX, la Francophonie, etc.

The eTwinning programme was launched in 2005 as a key component of the European Commission’s eLearning initiative. Since 2014, eTwinning has become an integral part of the European Union's Erasmus+ Programme. The Republic of Moldova has been participating in the programme since March 2013, with the launch of eTwinning Plus – a partial extension of eTwinning, introduced as a pilot project, aimed at the Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine), and Tunisia. The eTwinning programme supports communication and collaboration between pre-university educational institutions in the Republic of Moldova and those in the eTwinning community. Pupils take part in innovative and teamwork-based educational activities. The eTwinning uses information and communication technologies (ICT) to promote collaboration and provides support, services, and useful tools for teachers and pupils.

The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Programme is funded by the United States Government and targets upper secondary school students from Europe and Asia. It provides scholarships that allow participants to study at a U.S. high school for one full academic year and to live with an American host family.

Partnerships and networks in vocational education are mainly related to participation in international cooperation projects, and starting with 2022 also within Erasmus+ projects (for example in the frame of Capacity Building in Vocational Education and Training projects).