Inotek Center is bringing digital education opportunities to communities in Cahul District through the implementation of the “Equal Opportunities through Digital Education” project. This initiative aims to reduce the digital divide and prepare children aged 7 to 14 for the demands of the digital era by providing them with access to technology and a modern robotics and programming curriculum.
The “Equal Opportunities through Digital Education” project focuses on developing children’s technical skills, critical thinking, and ability to collaborate. INOTEK delivers mobile workshops, providing specialized mentors, robotics kits, tablets, and laptops. The curriculum includes 12 weekly sessions, each lasting 120 minutes, covering basic building and programming modules.
“Access to digital education should not depend on the community a child lives in. Through the BOOST project, we aim to bring modern and relevant extracurricular activities closer to children in rural communities, and Inotek Center’s initiative is a very good example of how technology can become a real tool for learning, creativity, and development. We are happy to see children learning through practice, collaborating, experimenting, and developing skills that will matter for their future,” says Veronica Pelivan, BOOST Project Manager, Tdh Moldova.
Selected schools and current status
Following an open call for educational institutions in Cahul District, to which 17 schools applied, 5 institutions were selected. They met the criteria of providing space for the courses, forming groups of beneficiaries, and collaborating with Inotek Center. The selected schools are:
· IP “Ion Neculce” Gymnasium — Baurci-Moldoveni village
· IP “Dimitrie Cantemir” Gymnasium-Kindergarten — Tartaul de Salcie village
· IP “Alecu Russo” Gymnasium — Ursoaia village
· IP “Igor Crețu” Gymnasium-Kindergarten — Găvănoasa village
· IP “Ștefan cel Mare” Gymnasium — Văleni village
Currently, the program is being implemented in three of these institutions: Tartaul de Salcie, Ursoaia, and Găvănoasa. In each location, two groups of approximately 20 children have been formed, with participants attending weekly robotics workshops. The objective is to complete all 12 workshops per group by the end of May.
“Every day, we see how much potential our children have, but also the obstacles they face: from limited access to technology to the high cost of digital education. Through this initiative, we are trying to change this reality. We want every child in Cahul District to have the opportunity to discover their talent and develop their digital skills. What motivates us most is the thought that, step by step, we are contributing to the development of a generation prepared for the future,” said Nicolae Mocanu, Administrator of Inotek Center.
Future plans and expansion
During the summer, Inotek Center will organize camps for a total of 50 children, offering them a hands-on experience in the field of technology. These camps are designed to complement the activities carried out during the school year and provide a stimulating learning environment. Details of the camp program will be announced later. In the autumn, the project will expand to the other two selected institutions, in Baurci-Moldoveni and Văleni, where two groups of approximately 20 children each will also be formed.
“The importance of this project for our institution is enormous, as until now our students have not had the opportunity to fully experience technology because we do not have the necessary equipment. The children are motivated, they have potential, and perhaps some of them will discover their calling in the digital field. We thank the INOTEK team, the sponsors, and everyone involved for giving our students the opportunity to see and truly experience innovation!”, said Oxana Jeceva, Director of IP “Dimitrie Cantemir” Gymnasium-Kindergarten in Tartaul de Salcie.
The “Equal Opportunities through Digital Education” initiative is implemented by Inotek Center within the project “BOOST: A Memorable Extracurricular Experience”, funded by the European Union and implemented by Terre des hommes Moldova Foundation, in partnership with APSCF and Junior Achievement Moldova.
