Basic of the Education System
In Romania, education and training are based on the following main principles:
- Education is a national priority;
- School must promote a democratic, open and humanistic education;
- The education system should offer equal opportunities for all citizens;
- Education provided by state institutions is free of charge;
- Members of ethnic minorities can learn in their mother language;
- Education is free of political ideologies;
- Alternative models of education are accepted and encouraged.
THE ROMANIAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IS DIVIDED IN THE FOLLOWING CYCLES OF STUDY:
The nursery , between 1 and 2 years old kids.
Pre-primary Education
- Pre-primary education is part of the education system.
- The main objectives of pre-primary education are the socialisation and the mental, emotional, cognitive and intellectual development of children.
- Pre-primary education covers the 3- to 6-years old age group. Kindergarten attendance is optional, except for the last year, which is compulsory.
Children with mental or sensory disabilities are referred by psycho-medical commissions to special forms of education.
Compulsory Education
Compulsory education covers the 6- to 15-year-old age group. According to the law, the obligation to attend school terminates when pupils are 16 years old or when they have completed lower secondary school, whichever occurs first.
- Primary education covers the 6- to 11- year-old age group. Children are invited to attend school in their sixth year. There are no entrance requirements for primary education. Primary school attendance is compulsory.
- Primary education is completely free of charge.
- Pupils are assessed continuously by the class teacher. Primary schools organize compulsory summative assessments at the end of each semester. There are also assessments at regular intervals in the form of school tests, especially in basic subjects.
Compulsory secondary education (Gymnasium)
- Lower secondary education provides general education and covers the last four years of compulsory education. Lower secondary education generally covers the 11- to 15- year-old age group.
- Lower secondary education ends with a national examination ( capacity exam), organized on the basis of the methodology developed by the Ministry of Education and Research.
- Pupils have to pass this examination to receive a leaving certificate .
This certificate allows them to participate in upper secondary school, depending on the results obtained.
High School
- The high school ends with a final national examination (Bachelor Exam), under the aegis of a commission established by County School Inspectorates. Tests included in this final examination are composed of common tests and differentiated tests, depending on school’s profile, specialisation or pupil’s choice.