Moldova - Constitutional & Legal Foundations

Moldova is a democratic republic. The new constitution was ratified in 1994. The President is the head of the state and is elected every four years with a maximum of two consecutive terms. The unicameral Parliament is the supreme legislative body with 104 deputies elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms. The judiciary branch of the government is headed by the Supreme Court and includes the Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court. There are also Higher Magistrate's Council, Tribunals, and Courts at the local levels.

In 1995, Moldova's Parliament approved the Policy and Law on Education. This policy is the conceptual and legal framework of the educational system and is in consonance with Moldova's constitution, international documents on human rights, rights of children, and contemporary educational theories. A 10-year National Education Program for the period 1995-2005 was approved in 1995. The country is committed to free and universal education. Basic education in Moldova is compulsory for 10 years. After that, a student can pursue technical school or further study leading to higher education. The education system prior to 1991 was largely shaped by Soviet policies but, after its independence, Moldova has leaned more toward the Romanian system of education and greater privatization, especially of higher education based on Western Models. Textbooks and curricula have been donated by Romania to build the education system in schools separate from the old Russian model.