Almost all schools in Moldova are connected to the internet

The internet has radically changed the way we learn, work and interact. But not all children have access to the internet. Globally, one in three people remains offline – which means millions of students cannot use modern digital resources, attend online classes or learn at their own pace.

Schools without internet access offer fewer opportunities to the students who study there. To reduce this gap, UNICEF and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) launched the Giga initiative, which aims to connect every school in the world to the internet.

At the recent event "Connected for Learning: Reducing Inequalities, Building the Future" held in Geneva, Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, emphasized: Real digital transformation is based on three pillars: connectivity, online safety, and support for teachers. Without these components, many children – especially those from rural or marginalized communities – continue to be left behind.

Moldova: A Positive Example in the Region

In the Republic of Moldova, progress has been significant. Today, 98% of schools are connected to the internet, representing approximately 1,200 educational institutions. Only 21 schools remain offline for now, but the Ministry of Education aims to connect all schools in the country by 2027.

Moldova joined the Giga initiative in 2020. Since then, important steps have been taken:

• All schools in the country have been identified and mapped, and their connectivity status can be checked on the Giga map, which also provides information about internet speed.
• A clear picture of the actual needs on the ground has been created.

Internet access is essential, but not sufficient for quality education

The education system needs much more than cables and signal. Schools must be continuously supported through investments in equipment, ongoing teacher training, and resources tailored to children’s needs. For this effort to have a lasting impact, the involvement of the community and the private sector is essential.
 
UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and with support from the Global Partnership for Education, is implementing concrete actions to support the digital transformation of education.

More than 10,000 primary and secondary school teachers – representing nearly 40% of all teachers in the country – are taking part in practical courses through the DigiProf initiative. The programme helps them develop digital skills and integrate technology into their teaching process.

In parallel, 140 schools have been equipped with 700 interactive whiteboards and 700 computers, making lessons more dynamic, visual, and aligned with the digital world in which children live.

At the same time, up to 10 general education textbooks are being digitalized, to provide students with modern, accessible, and easy-to-use learning resources.

All these actions are part of the national programme "Digital Innovations in the Education System of the Republic of Moldova", which aims to modernize the educational process by integrating technology and equipping teachers with the necessary digital competencies.

The internet is not just a tool – it is a gateway to every child's future

Every school deserves access to fast and reliable internet. Every child deserves the chance to learn, grow and dream. For technology to truly support education, we need more than just connectivity: we need a clear vision, bold policies, and sustained investments that can turn internet access into a real learning opportunity for all children, regardless of their background.

What is the Giga initiative about?

Giga is an initiative based on a simple yet powerful idea: every child should learn in a school connected to the internet. Because without access to technology, opportunities are not equal.

With support from Giga, governments in 34 countries – including Moldova – can identify which schools need connectivity, what equipment is missing, and how to mobilize resources to make these changes possible.

Based on data provided by each country, Giga offers an interactive global map, updated in real time. There, you can see how many schools are connected to the internet in every corner of the world.

In addition, through the Giga Meter application, institutions can monitor internet speed daily. This gives governments and school administrators the information they need to make better and faster decisions – all to ensure that students benefit from the best possible digital learning experience. So far, over 2.1 million schools worldwide have been mapped. It is a concrete step toward more equitable education, where connectivity is not a privilege, but a right.

Find out more about the Giga initiative here.