Programme for rehabilitation and construction of sanitary blocks in schools launched by the Ministry of Education and Research and UNICEF
Primary schools, gymnasiums and lyceums can submit project applications for the renovation or construction of sanitary blocks. The initiative is launched by the Ministry of Education and Research in partnership with UNICEF Moldova. Following the contest, 100 institutions will be selected to receive full assistance to improve water and sanitation conditions. The total budget to be allocated for this purpose amounts to about MDL 85 million. The programme is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development through the German Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW).
In order to attend the contest, managers of institutions must fill in an application form, which can be accessed at https://bit.ly/blocurisanitare. The deadline for submitting applications is October 31, 2023.
The form shall include information on existing facilities, technical conditions of facilities, needs for improvement of water supply, sanitation and hygiene systems and services.
"Children must have a healthy learning environment, be provided with access to safe water supplies, adequate sanitation and hygiene. Creating these conditions for every child and pupil in our country is a priority of the ministry," said the Minister of Education and Research, Dan Perciun.
"The right to water and sanitation is at the heart of UNICEF's mandate. The UNICEF programmes for the rehabilitation of sanitation blocks in schools, which cover more than 90 countries and reach an average of 3 million children annually, are essential to ensure that every child has the opportunity for a healthier and more dignified education. We believe that access to water and sanitation is not a privilege, but a fundamental right for every child."
At the beginning of this year, 178 educational institutions had reported problems of access to water and sanitation. Out of these, 60 schools, gymnasiums and lyceums are currently undergoing construction or capital renovation projects for sanitary blocks.
Thus, in 25 institutions the renovation is being carried out with resources allocated from the state budget, seven institutions benefit from UNICEF assistance and 28 - from the support of district councils and other development partners. All these projects will be completed by the end of 2023.
Another 118 educational institutions will benefit from investments in 2024 from UNICEF and the World Bank, for a total amount of MDL 143 million.
The data collected based on the form will provide the basis for a medium- and long-term intervention plan for the rehabilitation of sanitary blocks in general education institutions. In order to receive assistance in the process of filling in the forms, but also to discuss the spectrum of interventions needed to meet the sanitary norms in force, managers are invited to participate in several orientation sessions, which will be carried out online during October 16-25, 2023.
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