The “Program for Better Learning” expands to provide emotional and educational support to more children and young people

Starting in September, the “Program for Better Learning” is expanding its scope to reach more children and young people across the Republic of Moldova through interventions tailored to their emotional and educational needs. To prepare the specialists who will implement these programs, a training workshop is being held from 13–15 August, bringing together over 100 teaching and managerial staff from educational institutions, as well as employees of community day centers from the municipality of Chisinau and the districts of Hîncești and Ștefan Vodă. Participants are being trained in the implementation of the program’s three modules, aimed at strengthening the psycho-emotional support provided to children and young people.

So:

• The new program “Program for Better Learning for Youth” will be implemented among upper secondary school students and aims to develop essential emotional and educational skills for a balanced transition to adult life. It also provides practical stress-management techniques, including in the context of final examinations.
• The program “Program for Better Learning 2” will target lower secondary school students, supporting them in better recognizing and managing stress, developing resilience, and improving academic performance, including during final assessments.
• The program “Program for Better Learning 1” is being expanded into social services to support children in need of protection and emotional support. It will be implemented in community day centers for children in the municipality of Chisinau, the districts of Hîncești and Ștefan Vodă, and other regions.

At the opening event, Ana Palii, Project Manager at Partnerships for Every Child, emphasized that all three programs provide teachers, social workers, and parents with simple yet effective tools to support children going through difficult or traumatic experiences. She noted that the programs help adults better understand how children react to fear and stress and offer practical calming exercises that are easy to use both at school and at home. She thanked donors and partners for their support, which makes it possible for these programs to reach those most in need, whether children or adults experiencing crisis situations.

According to Maher Daboul, Educational Program Development Manager at NRC Moldova, since the beginning of the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, the importance of emotional support for children and young people has become increasingly evident—not only for academic performance, but also for long-term well-being. He highlighted that the expansion of the Program for Better Learning means that more students, including refugee children and those from host communities, will gain practical tools to cope with stress and life changes. He expressed pride in being part of this effort and gratitude to partners and donors for making this support possible where it is most needed.

This event is organized under the project “Ensuring Child Well-Being in Educational Institutions and Communities,” funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and implemented by Partnerships for Every Child, in partnership with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). The “Program for Better Learning” was launched in the Republic of Moldova in 2022 with the support of NRC, in response to the humanitarian crisis and the increased influx of refugee children.