Mobile teams of specialists to support children with special educational needs in small rural schools

Children with special educational needs in rural areas will benefit from direct psycho-pedagogical support in the institutions where they learn. Each team includes a psychologist, psycho-pedagogue, and speech therapist, with the possibility of involving a pedagogue, and will operate in schools or spaces provided, with the model to be expanded nationally after testing.

The Ministry of Education and Research, in partnership with the Republican Center for Psycho-Pedagogical Assistance and UNICEF, has launched the first mobile intervention teams, currently in a piloting phase in the districts of Drochia, Soroca, and Cahul, until December 31, 2025.


"The mobile teams will bring psycho-pedagogical assistance services closer to children who need support, giving them the chance to learn, develop harmoniously, and realize their unique potential at their own pace and context. Through the activities of these teams, the Ministry of Education and Research aims to ensure equal access to quality education for all children," says Inga Grosu, the principal consultant within the Ministry of Education and Research.


Specialists will visit schools according to a set schedule, providing psychological, psycho-pedagogical, and speech therapy support to children, and counseling for parents regarding inclusion and child development. Moreover, the teams will help teachers enhance the competencies of students who need additional services.


"Educational inclusion means more than the physical integration of the child into the classroom; it means easy access to education, which is why support services are essential for students with special educational needs and their parents. Through the mobile teams, we offer specialized support directly on site so that children in small rural schools do not have to wait or travel long distances to receive the help they need," says Virginia Rusnac, director of the Republican Center for Psycho-Pedagogical Assistance.


According to UNICEF, the services will help prevent school dropout, early identification of developmental difficulties, and interventions in crisis situations, including cases of violence or psychological trauma. Support can be requested by schools, parents, local authorities, social service providers, or medical institutions.


"Mobile teams play a decisive role in preventing educational and social exclusion by early identification of development and learning difficulties, being an essential link between the child, family, school, and community," says Galina Bulat, Education Program Coordinator at UNICEF Moldova.


The initiative is part of Promoting quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all program, implemented by UNICEF and UNDP, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Research, with financial support from the European Union.