More than 250 students studying at the Gymnasium in Cazaclia village, Ceadîr-Lunga district, and the teaching staff will benefit from modern sanitary conditions starting next year.

Ensuring hygiene standards is possible thanks to the support offered through the UNDP project “Enhancing quality of education through digital transformation and education facilities improvement: pilot project in ATU Gagauzia". The Government of Romania has allocated 50 thousand euros through RoAid – Romanian Agency for International Development Cooperation, and the Executive of Gagauzia region - 50 thousand dollars. The contribution of the United Nations Development Programme in Moldova is approximately 15 thousand dollars.

The educational institution that will benefit from investments in sanitation was selected in partnership with the Executive of Gagauzia region. Until now, the school’s toilet was located outside, away from the main building.

"We support this initiative, which we consider vital in this century. Students need to have access to hygienic conditions and modern toilets, equipped according to sanitary standards. Correct hygiene will allow children’s health protection and personal development. Educating students about hygiene is the best way to avoid the spread of infections and diseases, thus contributing to the growth of a healthy generation," said Anna Uzun, director of the Gymnasium in Cazaclia.

Thanks to the support of the project, a mini-wastewater treatment facility will be built. Sewerage and pipe installation works will be carried out and sanitary facilities inside the institution will be installed. The sanitary facilities will be adapted for people with disabilities.

At the same time, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), awareness raising campaigns for community members about the need to observe hygiene measures will be conducted.

Most rural educational institutions in the Republic of Moldova do not have sanitary facilities that correspond to standards, according to reports. Only 29% of rural students noted that they have access to indoor toilets. At the same time, only 13% of the interviewed children mentioned that the existing toilets are adapted to the needs of people with disabilities and 75% mentioned the poor hygiene and maintenance.