THE ROMANIAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

The Romanian educational structure consists of a vertical system of schooling, including: 1.Pre-school Education - Kindergartens 2.Primary Education - Primary Schools 3.Lower Secondary Education – Middle Schools 4.Higher Secondary Education – High Schools with a.lower cycle b.upper cycle 5.Post High School Education- Post High Schools Institutions 6.Higher Education- Universities

National Curriculum - Seven Curricular Areas: Language and Communication Mathematics and Science People and Society Arts Physical Education Technologies Counseling and Guidance - Core Curriculum (75%) - School-based Curriculum (electives) School Educational Offer - Extracurricular activities - Special educational programs for students

-it is not yet part of the compulsory cycle -it is designed for children 3 to 6 years old -most kindergartens offer parents, two types of programs: short schedule (typically 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., with one snack) and long schedule (typically 8 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m. with breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack ; it includes after lunch sleeping periods; the meals are paid by the parents) -there are also privately own kindergartens with parents paying for both tuition and meals

-the compulsory cycle of education consists of 5 years of primary school, 4 years of middle school education and 2 years of lower secondary education -most students begin their formal studies at the age of 6 -most schools are financed by the Government -primary school includes grades 0 to 4 th ; students usually attend classes in the morning; most classes are taught by a single teacher with the exception of Foreign Languages, P.E. and Religion classes

-the middle school includes grades 5 th to 8 th -classes start at 8 pm and may finish at 1 pm, 2 pm or 3 pm (in accordance with the number of the school subjects and the students’ age) -at the end of the 8 th grade, a nation wide-test is taken by all students; the exam subjects are: Romanian Language and Literature and Mathematics -the high-school admission grade represents the weighted mean, between the overall average obtained at the National Exams and the average grade obtained after graduating middle school

High School - lower cycle (grades 9 th to 10 th –compulsory) -upper cycle (grades 11 th to 12 th – non-compulsory) -there are no exams between the 10 th and the 11 th grades -there are also evening classes, with a lower frequency program; it takes 3 to 5 years to graduate the program -most high schools are financed by the government -each high school offers one or more academic programs

-high school academic offer: a. Theoretical Programs (they include: Science and Humanities) b. Technical Programs (offer qualifications in technical domains) c. Aptitude Based Programs (they include: Arts, Sports Military Education, Pedagogy and Religious Studies) -at the end of the 12 th grade the students can sit for the high school final exam, called “Bacalaureat”

Vocational Schools - post- middle school studies - 3 years (9 th to 11 th grade) -financed by the government

A. University Studies College Studies: 3 to 6 years Age level: from 19 Certificate awarded: DIPLOMA DE LICENTA Higher education offers specialization in a certain field (equivalent of BA). It is accessible only for baccalaureate diploma holders. Universities also offer MBA and PhD study programs Higher education can be state or privately financed B. Post High Schools Educational Institutions- 3 years

Class average size: 25 students (min.15; max.30) School year: weeks Starting date: the 15 th of September Ending date: the 19 th of June Timetable: 50-minute classes; 10-minute breaks Morning or afternoon classes

 To monitor the organization and operation of the pre- university education network and to inspect schools;  To ensure compliance with the law in the organization, management and provision of education;  To set up public education units – kindergartens, primary schools, gymnasiums and art and trades schools;  To propose to the Ministry of Education the local school network under their jurisdiction and the students’ enrolment plan;

Principal Deputy PrincipalCounsellor Chief accountant Heads of commissions Librarian Chief secretary School administration ICT development Educational projects and programmes School administrator Administrative staff Students tutors Projects coordinators Heads of departments Teachers’ assistants Administration council Teachers’ council Teachers