Moldova Advances Efforts to Improve Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools

Chișinău, 15 October 2026 – On Global Handwashing Day, students, educators, government officials, and development partners gathered in Chișinău to review progress and discuss priorities for improving water, sanitation, and hygiene services in Moldova’s schools.

The national event, “WASH in Schools in Moldova: Rights, Progress and the Way Forward,” was organized by UNICEF and the Ministry of Education and Research, with support from the Government of Germany through KfW Development Bank.

“The Ministry of Education and Research appreciates UNICEF’s contribution to improving conditions in educational institutions, as well as the financial support provided by the Government of Germany through KfW Development Bank. This partnership supports ongoing efforts to strengthen essential services for children, including those in vulnerable situations and refugee children,” stated Valentina Olaru, State Secretary, Ministry of Education and Research.

“A school cannot be truly modern if it has smart boards and high-speed internet but lacks adequate sanitation facilities,” said Gerrit Maritz, UNICEF Deputy Country Representative in the Republic of Moldova. “Modernization must begin with the fundamentals.”

“Access to clean water and decent sanitation facilities creates the necessary conditions for focused learning and teaching. Germany is proud to partner with the Moldovan Government and UNICEF in order to improve the daily life of students and teachers across Moldova,”stated Verena Zell, Head of Development Cooperation, German Embassy.

“When we talk about education, we usually think of classes, teachers, grades, and knowledge. But there’s another side to school life - the conditions in which we spend most of our day. It’s not enough just to create good conditions; we must ensure that they actually work in everyday life,” said Valeria, President of the Student Council, “Dmitri Cantemir” High School, Rîșcani.

With German support, 52 schools have already benefited from improved WASH facilities, reaching approximately 14,500 students and teachers. Investments include upgraded water supply systems, renovated sanitation facilities, and new equipment. School staff have also received training in facility management and maintenance to ensure long-term sustainability.

A national assessment conducted by UNICEF and the Ministry of Education and Research, with findings reported in 2025, found that approximately half of the 968 surveyed schools had no wastewater treatment system. More than 60 per cent reported the need for renovations and infrastructure improvements of the indoor facilities, or the need of additional sanitary blocks.

The event focused on addressing these gaps, reducing disparities between rural and urban schools, and identifying sustainable solutions that can be expanded.

About the project “Strengthening Social Services and National Systems for Vulnerable Children and Refugees in the Republic of Moldova”

UNICEF’s WASH interventions are implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Research under a broader programme funded by the Government of Germany through KfW Development Bank. The €11.5 million grant supports essential services for vulnerable and refugee children, including child protection, early childhood intervention, inclusive education, and WASH improvements in schools.