Experiment & Learn: Modern Laboratory for Local and Minority Students

    “Experiment & Learn: Modern Laboratory for Local and Minority Students” is an educational infrastructure initiative implemented by the National Congress of Ukrainians of Moldova (NCUM) to improve the learning environment at Taras Shevchenko Gymnasium in Chișinău, the only school in the city where Ukrainian is the primary language of instruction.

    The project is supported by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Moldova within the framework of the Czech Republic’s Official Development Assistance. It builds on NCUM’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the educational infrastructure of the Gymnasium and improve learning conditions for children from the Ukrainian minority and refugee children from Ukraine.

    The initiative focuses on the rehabilitation of a dedicated educational space to support practical and experiment-based learning in science subjects. The planned improvements include essential renovation works to create a safe, functional and suitable environment for students and teachers, including upgrades to interior surfaces, lighting, electrical infrastructure, water access and other elements required for educational use.

    The infrastructure component is complemented by a broader education initiative implemented by People in Need (PIN) and NCUM in the context of the JICA-supported effort to improve the educational environment for Ukrainian refugee children in Moldova. Within this framework, PIN is responsible for the procurement and installation of furniture, laboratory equipment, IT and multimedia tools, books, safety items and other learning materials for Taras Shevchenko Gymnasium.

    Together, these interventions are designed to create the conditions for practical, inclusive and engaging learning, while strengthening the capacity of the Gymnasium to provide educational opportunities for both Ukrainian and Moldovan children. The broader JICA initiative also applies gender equality, social inclusion, protection and child-friendly feedback approaches to ensure that learning opportunities respond to the needs of diverse groups of children.

    Following a review of the Gymnasium’s current infrastructure needs and the increase in the number of students, the school has identified the rehabilitation of a larger classroom as an important priority. The proposed adjustment would allow the available resources to be concentrated on creating an additional safe and functional educational space, while preserving the overall objective of improving the school’s learning environment. The Gymnasium has indicated that the renovated space could also provide a basis for the future development of practical science education, subject to additional partner support for equipment.

    The project forms part of NCUM’s longer-term engagement with Taras Shevchenko Gymnasium, alongside previous infrastructure and education initiatives supported by international partners. This continued investment contributes to strengthening the school as a safe, inclusive and community-oriented learning environment for local and displaced children.

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