Bullying rates reach 17.4% among students in Gagauzia

A sociopsychological study titled “Safety of the educational environment in schools in the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia” has revealed that 17.4% of students in the region face repeated bullying. Notably, nearly half of the targeted children did not seek assistance.

The research, conducted by the “M. V. Marunevici” Scientific Research Center, surveyed 2,960 respondents, including 1,192 students aged 10 to 19, 235 teachers, and 1,533 parents. The study evaluated the prevalence of bullying, psychological safety in schools, and the effectiveness of current prevention and intervention mechanisms.

In response, the Ministry of Education and Research, in collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, is implementing a joint action plan to ensure student security and prevent violence. Additionally, a national prevention and intervention program launched in 2026 includes 43 educational institutions across the country, including those in Gagauzia. This program aims to train over 2,500 teaching staff and strengthen institutional reporting mechanisms to provide specialized assistance to children at risk.