The 10th #EduLIFE School opens in Florești, expanding youth friendly spaces calendar_today

The “Miron Costin” Theoretical Lyceum in Florești has become the tenth institution where an EduLIFE classroom, designed for health education and life skills development, along with the school’s medical office and psychologist’s office, have been fully renovated and equipped with modern furniture and equipment.

For the past two years, the school has also been equipped with menstrual hygiene product dispensers, providing free access to girls throughout the academic year. In this context, informational materials on menstrual health and hygiene have been developed for students, parents, and teachers.

The EduLIFE School programme is implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the Republic of Moldova, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Research, the Youth Media Center, the Suntparinte.md platform, the Florești City Hall, and the “Felicia” Foundation. The total cost of renovation and equipment, including the provision of menstrual hygiene products, amounts to nearly 807,000 MDL, with renovation works fully covered by the state budget.

“Investing in the school environment is, first and foremost, an investment in students. Through EduLIFE spaces, the Ministry of Education and Research, together with its partners, aims to bring health education closer to young people and adolescents, helping them better understand how to take care of their physical and psycho-emotional health. An informed student who feels safe and supported has greater chances to develop harmoniously and achieve better results both academically and in their transition to adult life,” said Marcelina Baleca, Head of the General Education Policies Directorate at the Ministry of Education and Research.

Since 2023, the EduLIFE School programme has been implemented in 10 general education institutions. UNFPA’s total investment in the renovation and equipment of these schools amounts to 4.1 million MDL. The programme has also been supported by private sector partners and local public authorities.

“For more than 30 years, UNFPA has been investing in people, as they represent the greatest value of any country, and adolescents and young people are an essential part of this. Being prepared for life means knowing how to navigate the various situations and rapid changes in today’s society. Sometimes even adults find it difficult to identify the best solutions. That is why, through joint efforts, we aim to support young people in developing life skills and adopting safe and healthy behaviours, both for themselves and for those around them,” said Ludmila Sîrbu, Interim Deputy Representative of UNFPA in the Republic of Moldova.

The “Miron Costin” Theoretical Lyceum in Florești is part of the Network of 90 Model Schools designated by the Ministry of Education and Research. The EduLIFE School programme provides young people with access to quality health education, as well as improved psychological and medical services.

“Our institution has always prioritized students’ health, as we aim to contribute to building a healthy generation prepared for life’s challenges. Since 2018, we have introduced the Health Education subject. We are glad that it continues to be taught and that, next year, it will be available to an even larger number of students. These are important topics for both girls and boys, and the EduLIFE spaces help us deliver lessons in a more suitable environment, as teaching requires not only content but also the right conditions for learning,” said Tatiana Moscalu, Director of the “Miron Costin” Theoretical Lyceum.

“Access to menstrual hygiene products in schools should be as natural as access to soap or toilet paper. The lack of such products and information leads to absenteeism, shame, discomfort, and even stigma. Through such investments, schools become more friendly, safe, and equitable environments for all, supporting girls and, ultimately, the future of the entire society,” added Ana-Maria Ciumac, an 11th-grade student.

During the launch event, the Mayor of Florești, Iurie Gangan, expressed openness for continued collaboration and support for educational initiatives: “We are pleased that the beneficiaries of this project are students. A pleasant learning environment provides satisfaction and motivation. We thank our partners for their involvement and hope that all schools can benefit from such improvements. The local public administration will always remain a reliable partner in enhancing learning conditions for students.”

Currently, the EduLIFE School model is implemented in the following institutions: “Mihail Sadoveanu” Lyceum (Hîncești), “Ion Creangă” Lyceum (Căușeni), “Mitropolit Nestor Vornicescu” Lyceum (Lozova, Strășeni district), “Ion Creangă” Gymnasium (Ermoclia, Ștefan Vodă district), “Mihail Koțiubinski” Lyceum and “Taras Shevchenko” Gymnasium (Chișinău), “Alexandr Pușkin” Lyceum (Ungheni), “Mihail Ceachir” Lyceum (Ceadîr-Lunga), “Boris Dînga” Lyceum (Criuleni), and “Miron Costin” Lyceum (Florești).