One successful model from the region — Moldova “Innovative Approaches in Ensuring Equitable Access to Quality Early Education Programs for All Children”
Ms. Larisa Virtosu, ECD Officer, UNICEF Moldova
Larisa Virtosu has more than 10 years of relevant professional experience in the field of educational planning and management. She is currently working as ECD Officer at UNICEF Moldova Office. Joined UN in 2001 bringing a 10 years’ experience of innovative and creative approaches in pedagogical practices and teaching at high school and university levels and was employed as Education for All (EFA) Country Adviser and later as Education-FTI Officer by UNDP Moldova, UNESCO Moscow Office and UNICEF Moldova. Coordinated and leaded the elaboration of three National Strategies on Education, Action Plans and associated Simulation Models including the design of concepts since 2002 effectively promoting knowledge management and rights-based approach. Currently coordinating and leading the development of the long-term Strategy Paper on Education (2013-2020) and medium-term National Action Plan where a special focus is being placed on equity, quality, inclusiveness and gender as well as decentralisation and participation issues. As UN Focal Point for Education, she helped to position the UN in the education sector.
Prior to joining UN, worked as an expert in education and then as Deputy-Secretary General for the National Commission for UNESCO. She graduated with honours from Balti Pedagogical University. Larisa is a PhD candidate, State University of Moldova. Short-term fellowships at UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning, Paris, France and University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education, Philadelphia, USA. Larisa is the author of three manuals and a series of articles on strategic planning in education, education management, financing and text- books management for pre-primary and primary education, non-public education etc. She is the mother of two children, Doina and Dan.
unicef,preschool education
