Education systems in Romania and Moldova face reforms and logistical hurdles

Educational systems in Romania and the Republic of Moldova are undergoing various structural changes and facing logistical challenges at the start of the 2026 school year.

In Romania, Minister Mihai Dimian reported a shortage of teachers in technical fields, physics, and IT, noting that while competition for positions is high, many qualified candidates remain unemployed. Additionally, 9th-grade students face a seven-month delay in receiving new textbooks due to complex procurement and evaluation processes required by new curricula. Former Minister Daniel David highlighted reforms aimed at reducing functional illiteracy, including a new structure where 25% of class time is dedicated to skill recovery and consolidation.

In the Republic of Moldova, the Ministry of Education and Research addressed concerns regarding textbook availability in Chișinău, stating that local authorities had not yet reported shortages to the central fund. Meanwhile, the country is increasingly adopting dual education models to combat labor shortages, particularly in the HoReCa sector, by combining theoretical studies with practical training within partner companies.