On July the 8th, the Ombudsperson for the Protection of Child Rights, Maia Bănărescu, met with the Minister of Education, Corina Fusu and the Head of secondary education Department, Valentin Crudu.
Children’s Ombudsperson spoke about the main directions of its activity at the beginning of term, referring in this context, to the need of modifying the priorities in the education system so that the system is oriented mainly towards the child's education.
Maia Bănărescu stressed the importance of thecooperation between the Ombudsman Institution and the Ministry of Education to ensure child rights, noting that the Ministry of Education complies with the recommendations of the Ombudsperson. In this regard, on August 23rd 2013, the methodology for applying the procedure for institutional organization and intervention of workers from school institutions in cases of abuse, neglect, exploitation, trafficking of children was approved. However, many appeals of the parents demonstrate that this methodology is not followed by the teachers and administration of educational institutions, the Ombudsperson stated that its application would be monitored.
Regarding the Children's Ombudsperson's recommendations on the effective exercise of summer camps, based on her visits in these camps during the first half of June, Maia Bănărescu said that in 2016 there have been certain improvements. However, the Ombudsperson noted shortcomings in terms of staff training, cafeteria and kitchen status, dormitories planning, nutrition, cleanliness, first-aid kits.
In this context, the Ombudsman for Children spoke about deficiencies in the diets of children in educational institutions. Maia Bănărescu suggested that parents of middle school children are ready to contribute financially, just to ensure healthy food for their children. However, the Ombudsperson objected to the quality of the products children eat in schools and kindergartens, specifying that in many institutions expired products or no expiration date mark products are delivered, rules for storage and preparation requirements are being constantly violated.
The meeting brought to discussion the need to establish transparency in middle and high schools. Maia Bănărescu was referred to the lack of information on the number of places available and the period for submitting applications for enrollment in the educational institutions and no regulation for organizing the admission process.
Maia Bănărescu expressed her opinion on the revision of curriculum to the discipline ,,Physical Education”- gym class, saying that grading students hinders them from practicing a healthy way of life. The Ombudsperson also stated that educational institutions do not have enough sports equipment, which negatively impacts on the quality of teaching.
Children's Ombudsperson declared her openness for cooperation with the Ministry of Education on children's rights and expressed willingness to participate at the beginning of the school year in conferences with the teachers from the districts.
