The so-called authorities in the Breakaway Transnistrian region refused to register the educational institution “Lucian Blaga” Theoretical High School in Tiraspol and suspended the activity of the only educational institution teaching in the Romanian language, on the left bank of the Dniester, for a period of at least 3 months. This is what the Ombudsman, Maia Bănărescu, announces, who also comes with an appeal in this regard.

The Ombudsman’s appeal:

“In monitoring the observance of the right to education of children in the Transnistrian region, the People’s Advocate for Children’s Rights, Maia Bănărescu, established that the Tiraspol authorities refused to register the ”Lucian Blaga” Theoretical High School in Tiraspol and suspended the activity for a period of at least 3 months.

In such circumstances, children attending this educational institution will not be able to be included in the educational process in the new school year 2021-2022, which restricts the effective realization of children’s rights to education, contrary to the provisions of art. 2, 3 and 28 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Proceeding from the best interests of the child and in accordance with the provisions of art. 23 para. (1) of Law no. 52/2014 on the People’s Advocate (Ombudsman), Maia Bănărescu sent requests on behalf of the Minister of Education, Culture and Research, Lilia Pogolşa, and the Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, Olga Cebotari, requesting that measures be taken as a matter of urgency necessary for solving the situation exposed above, in order to ensure the observance of children’s rights to education,” mentions the People’s Advocate.

On June 22, Ion Iovcev was released from the position of director of the “Lucian Blaga” High School, which is the only Romanian high school in the capital of the self-proclaimed authorities in Tiraspol. An order in this regard was signed by the current Minister of Education, Liliana Pogolșa.

Ziarul de Garda requested a reaction from the Ministry of Education. The spokesperson of the Ministry, Cristina Gonța, informed us that Ion Iovcev was dismissed from the position of director of the high school, on the grounds that “he has reached the age of 70.”

The day after the teacher’s dismissal, on June 23, the Romanian MEP Eugen Tomac announced that the former director of the “Lucian Blaga” High School, Ion Iovcev, will exercise the function of adviser to the MEP.

Eugen Tomac claims that the release of Ion Iovcev from the position of director is “a blow against a professional, a man of high moral standing and will not remain without consequences.”

Ion Iovcev, a critic of the regime on the left bank of the Dniester, has been at the head of the only Romanian high school in Tiraspol for more than 29 years. Professor Ion Iovcev is the holder of the Order of the Republic.