Ukrainian refugee children learn Romanian at Comrat school
Children fleeing Ukraine continue to learn Romanian. At the "Dmitri Mavrodi" Theoretical High School in Comrat, courses have been held for the second consecutive year.
The school administration recently extended the program for another year. As part of the program, children primarily learn the alphabet, numbers, and how to introduce themselves.
Ilia Merzoev has been living in Comrat with his family for a year and a half. He is learning Romanian alongside other classmates, also from Ukraine. Ilia says that learning Romanian is easy for him.
"I've made a lot of friends in class. I like living here. I've learned English, and I can say it’s easy. My name is Ilia, and I’m nine years old," said Ilia Merzoev, a student.
"It’s difficult for me, but I’m starting to understand a little," confessed Samir Aga, a refugee from Ukraine.
The "Dmitri Mavrodi" Theoretical High School is the only school in Gagauzia where classrooms are equipped to teach Romanian, including with an interactive whiteboard. The classes are attended by 20 students.
"This Romanian language course is available to students from Ukraine and other countries. Students from Russia and Uzbekistan also attend this course. We started learning Romanian with basic phrases like 'hello' and 'goodbye.' Each lesson begins with introductions: who I am, what grade I'm in, and how old I am," said Oxana Uzun, a Romanian language teacher.
"This classroom was equipped last year with furniture, desks, chairs, an interactive whiteboard, and a color printer, thanks to our partners' support," said Maxim Bolgar, the school's principal. "We also have special textbooks to help make learning easier and more comfortable for the students."
At the "Dmitri Mavrodi" Theoretical High School in Comrat, 432 children are enrolled. It is the seventh school in Moldova offering Romanian language courses to children from Ukraine.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
