Over 160 kindergartens in four districts switch to new funding formula

Chisinau, Nov 5 /MOLDPRES/- A total of 164 kindergartens in Anenii Noi, Cahul, Floresti and Nisporeni districts will pilot a new funding formula starting in 2025. The new methodology, which provides funding on the basis of a standard cost per child was published in the Official Journal today.

The document covers three categories of expenses: staff salaries, food for children and expenses related to the infrastructure of the institutions, including heating costs, utilities, and the purchase of textbooks.

The initiative aims to ensure a better correlation between the funding allocated by the state and the real needs of each kindergarten, taking into account factors that influence costs, such as the presence of children with special educational needs or disabilities or the presence of children who speak a language other than Romanian.

The new funding methodology was developed by the Ministry of Education and Research after an analysis carried out between October 2023 and February 2024 showed that there were large differences in per-child spending between kindergartens, reflecting inequalities in the distribution of financial resources. 

In 2023, the total budget of pre-school education institutions at the national level amounted to 5.3 billion lei. Of this, 62.8% was spent on remuneration, 11.4% on energy and utilities, 5.3% on capital expenditure etc.