Last Bell ceremony without incidents in Romanian-language schools in Transnistrian region
Students from the eight Romanian-language educational institutions in the Transnistrian region celebrated the Last Bell Ceremony on May 30. This year's festivities occurred without incidents or restrictions imposed by the so-called authorities on the left bank of the Nistru. Previously, institutions were prohibited from flying the tricolor flag or singing the national anthem, and local militia supervised the activities.
The festive ceremony at the “Evrika” Theoretical Lyceum in the city of Ribnita was successfully hosted without any incidents. Attendees included representatives from the Reintegration Policy Office, the Delegation of the European Union in the Republic of Moldova, and the head of the Varnița Representation of the Ombudsman’s Office. The school's director, Ion Bucioc, reported that the celebration was well-organized and posed no danger to the children.
“We are not forgotten; we are supported by the right bank of the Nistru and the European Union. What we do, we do well,” the director told Teleradio-Moldova.
This year, 205 students completed their courses, with 16 graduating, including five from the high school cycle.
“The students learned and developed the necessary skills for each discipline, which they will demonstrate during their final exams. Both middle school and high school graduates will receive their well-deserved diplomas,” the director added.
Representatives from the Reintegration Policy Office conveyed an official congratulatory message from the Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration to the students, teachers, and all educational personnel. The message expressed appreciation and gratitude for the effort and resilience shown by the lyceum staff in maintaining educational and identity values despite ongoing pressure from separatist authorities.
Contacted by Teleradio-Moldova, other principals of Romanian-language schools in the Transnistrian region confirmed that the festivities dedicated to the Last Bell took place without incident. The principal of the "Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt" Theoretical Lyceum in the city of Grigoriopol, Eleonora Cercavschi, stated that the ceremony to end the school year will take place on May 31.
The problems of the eight Romanian-language schools in the Transnistrian region date back to the 1990s, when the Tiraspol administration banned the use of the Latin alphabet. In 2004, the separatist regime tried to close these institutions, resorting to seizing buildings and intimidating students and teachers.
In 2012, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) condemned the Russian Federation for violating the right to education in the case of three high schools – “Evrica” in Rîbnița, “Ștefan cel Mare” in Grigoriopol and “Alexandru cel Bun” in Tighina. In 2018, the ECHR issued a new ruling on Romanian institutions in Transnistrian region, obliging the Russian Federation to pay tens of thousands of euros in compensation. To date, these rulings have not been enforced.
