This section provides the most recent available data on the number of educational institutions at pre-primary, primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education level (ISCED levels 0-4) in Moldova. Educational institutions that cater specifically for adult learning are not covered. A general overview of the categories of institutions providing publicly-subsidised adult education and training can be found in the chapter on Adult Education. The notes below the tables provide methodological explanations necessary for a good interpretation of data.

Table 1.  Statistics on educational institutions providing pre-primary, primary, secondary and post-secondary vocational regular education

(-)  –  not applicable

(:) – data not available

(G) – general orientation

(V) – vocational orientation

Sources: 

a. National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova:

• The activity of early education institutions in 2023.

• Activity of the primary and general secondary education institutions, beginning of the study year 2023/24.

• Activity of technical vocational institutions in academic year 2023/24. 

• Education in the Republic of Moldova, 2024 edition.

b. Code of Education

Explanations for Table 1:

a. Pre-primary education institutions, ISCED 0

• The statistics regarding the early education institutions were collected from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) press release: The activity of early education institutions in 2023. 

• A distinct separation of pre-school and pre-school educational institutions is not available in the statistical data. There are different categories of early education institutions in Moldova. Some of them provide both early childhood education and pre-primary. 

• Data about the type of the property of institutions are not available in statistical data by categories of institutions. However, it is indicated in the press release that 14 of 1479 institutions are private institutions.

• Pre-primary Government-dependent private institutions do not exist in Moldova.

b. Primary, lower secondary and upper secondary education institutions, ISCED 1-3

• The statistics regarding the lower and upper secondary education institutions were collected from the NBS press release: Activity of the primary and general secondary education institutions, beginning of the study year 2023/24. 

• In Moldova, one educational institution can comprise all three types of education (primary education, lower secondary education- gymnasium, and upper secondary education – lyceum). 

• There are 2 public evening schools providing lyceum education.

• Government-dependent private institutions do not exist in Moldova.

c. Secondary and post-secondary vocational education institutions, ISCED 3-4

• The statistics regarding the vocational education institutions were collected from the NBS press release: Activity of vocational institutions in academic year 2023/24. 

• The secondary vocational education in Moldova is organised in Professional schools

• The post-secondary vocational education is organised in Colleges

• Government-dependent private institutions do not exist in Moldova.

   

Table 2.  Statistics on separate educational institutions providing pre-primary, primary, secondary and post-secondary vocational special needs education 

(-)  -  not applicable

(G) – general orientation

(V) – vocational orientation

(:) – data not available

Source: 

a. National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova:

• The activity of early education institutions in 2023.

• Activity of the primary and general secondary education institutions, beginning of the study year 2023/24.

• Activity of technical vocational institutions in academic year 2023/24. 

• Education in the Republic of Moldova, 2024 edition.

b. Code of Education

Explanations for Table 2:

a. Early education institutions, ISCED 0

• The statistics regarding the special needs early education institutions were collected from the NBS press release: The activity of early education institutions in 2023 and the NBS statistical publication: Education in the Republic of Moldova, 2024 edition.

• There is indicated only one category of early education institution delivering special education - Special early education institutions. There are also 4 early education institutions providing education in sanatorium-type institutions.

• Data about the type of property of institutions are not available in statistical data by categories of institutions.

• In 2023, general early education institutions also provided special education to about 300 children with disabilities and 1500 children with special educational needs.

• The 8 special early education institutions have the following specialisations:

  - impaired hearing, 1 institution,

  - impaired speech (when hearing is normal), 1 institution,

  - impaired eyesight, 2 institutions,

  - intellectual disabilities, 2 institutions,

  - muscle and motion system disabilities, 1 institution

  - other profiles, 1 institution

b. Primary, lower secondary and upper secondary education institutions, ISCED 1, ISCED 2, ISCED 3

• The statistics regarding the special needs education in primary, lower secondary and upper secondary education were collected from the NBS press release: Activity of the primary and general secondary education institutions, beginning of the study year 2023/24 and the NBS statistical publication: Education in the Republic of Moldova, 2024 edition.

• The name/category of the education institution providing special needs education is Schools for children with deficiencies in intellectual or physical development.

• There is no clear division between education levels within the Schools for children with deficiencies in intellectual or physical development. These institutions can include all 3 levels of education (primary, lower secondary and upper secondary). However, the percentage distribution of pupils by level is: 

  - Primary education (ISCED 1, grades 1-4) – 45,72%

  - Lower secondary education (ISCED 2, grades 5-9) – 52,97%

  - Upper secondary education (ISCED 3, grades 10-12) – 1,3%

c. Secondary and post-secondary vocational education institutions, ISCED 3-4

There are no vocational education institutions providing special needs education in Moldova. According to the Education Code.

• chapter VI, article 33(1) ”Education for children and pupils  with special educational needs is free, organized in general education institutions, including special education institutions, or through home education.”

• chapter XII, title IV, article 60(6) ”The professional training of people with special educational requirements is carried out, according to the Nomenclature of professional training fields and trades/professions and the Nomenclature of professional training fields, specialties and qualifications, in trades classes in special education institutions and within technical vocational education”