1. ROMANIAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM ROMANIAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

2. Number of children of compulsory age: 2.291.680(in 2006) Number of children of compulsory age: 2.291.680(in 2006) Language of instruction: Romanian Language of instruction: Romanian for all levels, teaching is also given in the language of minorities : for all levels, teaching is also given in the language of minorities : Hungarian, German, Romani, Turks, Czech, Italian Hungarian, German, Romani, Turks, Czech, Italian

3. Administrative control and extent of public- sector funded education - 89,8% of all pupils attend public schools funded by State - 89,8% of all pupils attend public schools funded by State - private educational establesment are more common at higher education - private educational establesment are more common at higher education - the Ministry of Education, Research and Innovation consists in several departments that are responsible for different tasks and educational levels - the Ministry of Education, Research and Innovation consists in several departments that are responsible for different tasks and educational levels - at regional level, each county has a School Inspectorate managed by a general inspector - at regional level, each county has a School Inspectorate managed by a general inspector - each establishment has a school board and a management board that assists head teachers in fulfilling their managerial tasks - each establishment has a school board and a management board that assists head teachers in fulfilling their managerial tasks

4. Pre – primary education covers the 3 to 6 year old age group covers the 3 to 6 year old age group this type of education is provided in special institutions – kindergardens (grădiniţe), most of them public this type of education is provided in special institutions – kindergardens (grădiniţe), most of them public attendance is optional and free of charge attendance is optional and free of charge in 2007/2008, the rate of attendance was 77,6% in 2007/2008, the rate of attendance was 77,6% the kindergardens offer education activities through: the kindergardens offer education activities through: - normal programmes ( 5 h/day) - normal programmes ( 5 h/day) - long type programmes (10h/day) - long type programmes (10h/day) - weekly programmes (5 days/week) - weekly programmes (5 days/week)

5. Compulsory education – lasts 10 years Primary level: 6 – 10 years Primary level: 6 – 10 years First phase of general lower secondary school: 10-14 years First phase of general lower secondary school: 10-14 years Second phase of general or specialized lower secondary level or vocational lower secondary level Second phase of general or specialized lower secondary level or vocational lower secondary level

6. Length of school day/week/year Length of school day/week/year The school year comprises 175 days (35 weeks) of teaching, divided in 2 semestres. The school year comprises 175 days (35 weeks) of teaching, divided in 2 semestres. Courses are distributed over five days a week. Courses are distributed over five days a week. The number of periods (lasting 50 minutes) per week: The number of periods (lasting 50 minutes) per week: 18/20 hours – primary level 18/20 hours – primary level 29/30 hours – first phase of general lower secondary school 29/30 hours – first phase of general lower secondary school up to 32 hours – lower cycle of high school up to 32 hours – lower cycle of high school up to 30 hours – in Arts and Trades schools up to 30 hours – in Arts and Trades schools The number of hours of teaching a year is: The number of hours of teaching a year is: 544 – for primary school 544 – for primary school 788 - for gymnasium 788 - for gymnasium 962 - for Arts and Trades schools 962 - for Arts and Trades schools 933 - for lower cycle of high school. 933 - for lower cycle of high school.

7. Class size The average class size is 20 (it can be between 10 and 30). The average class size is 20 (it can be between 10 and 30). the classes are made up of pupils of the same age; the classes are made up of pupils of the same age; in primary schools, subjects are taught only by one teacher(except for in primary schools, subjects are taught only by one teacher(except for religion, foreign languages and physical education); religion, foreign languages and physical education); at lower secondary level, a specialist teacher teaches each subject. at lower secondary level, a specialist teacher teaches each subject.

8. Curricular control and content Curricular control and content The curriculum includes: the core curriculum and The curriculum includes: the core curriculum and the curriculum at school’s disposal the curriculum at school’s disposal Subjects are grouped according to 7 curricular areas: Subjects are grouped according to 7 curricular areas: Language and communication Language and communication Mathematics and natural sciences Mathematics and natural sciences Arts Arts Physical education Technologies Counseling and guidance Teaching methods are not imposed by official regulations, but there are some recommendation concerning alternative textbooks, homework and didactic use of ICT.

9. Assesment, progression and qualification Assesment, progression and qualification - pupils are assessed by teachers through the school year; - pupils are assessed by teachers through the school year; - pupils in difficulty can be helped by specialized teachers; - pupils in difficulty can be helped by specialized teachers; - at the end of primary school, pupils move automatically on the next level; - at the end of primary school, pupils move automatically on the next level; - at the end of the gymnasium, based on a selection and repartition procedure established by The Ministry of Education, pupils have to choose one of two institutions for continuation of lower secondary education: Lyceum or Arts and trades schools. - at the end of the gymnasium, based on a selection and repartition procedure established by The Ministry of Education, pupils have to choose one of two institutions for continuation of lower secondary education: Lyceum or Arts and trades schools. There is no final examination at the end of lower secondary education, which coincides with the end of compulsory education stage. There is no final examination at the end of lower secondary education, which coincides with the end of compulsory education stage. The entrance in the upper cycle of lyceum, of pupils who graduated the lower cycle of Lyceum, is based on the methodology defined. The entrance in the upper cycle of lyceum, of pupils who graduated the lower cycle of Lyceum, is based on the methodology defined.

10. Post – compulsory education/upper secondary and post secondary level Types of education Vocational upper secondary – completition year - 16-17 years General and specialized upper secondary (Lyceum) – 16-18 years Post secondary education – 18-20/21 years. Curricula and content The curriculum covers 7 curricular areas. The importance of each group of subjects varies according to the type of school.

11. Assessment, progression and qualification Pupils are assessed by teachers continuously, in all subjects, during the whole year. Pupils are assessed by teachers continuously, in all subjects, during the whole year. Graduates of completition year are awarded a graduation certificate, a copy of the record containing the marks received.. Graduates of completition year are awarded a graduation certificate, a copy of the record containing the marks received.. After facing a vocational examination, they may obtain a level two qualification certificate. They may attend upper secondary education. After facing a vocational examination, they may obtain a level two qualification certificate. They may attend upper secondary education. There is a final examination at the end of the upper cycle of Lyceum. There is a final examination at the end of the upper cycle of Lyceum. The diploma accompanying this examination allows pupils to apply to take entrance examination for higher education. The diploma accompanying this examination allows pupils to apply to take entrance examination for higher education. Any pupil who completes upper secondary education can apply to take the entrance examination for post –secondary education. Any pupil who completes upper secondary education can apply to take the entrance examination for post –secondary education. Post – secondary leaving certificate grants students access to the labour market. Post – secondary leaving certificate grants students access to the labour market.

12. Tertiary education Tertiary education Types of institutions Since 2005/2006 academic year, all higher education institutions, private and public, have been obliged by the 2004 low to implement the three- cycle structure. The first (Bachelor’s) cycle include 180 to 240 transferable study credits equivalents with ECTS and lasts 3 or 4 years. The second (Master’s) cycle includes a min. 90 to max. 120 transferable study credit and lasts one or two years. Doctoral studies can be organized on full or part – time basis by higher education or research institution. The length of doctoral courses corresponds to three years of full time work.

13. Acces Acces Qualifications Qualifications According to Education Low, only high school graduates holding a baccalaureate diploma can be admitted in higher education. The higher education institutions establish the admission. Finalization of the bachelor’s studies is accomplished through an exam – examen de licenta. Successful students can go on to attend the second cycle of higher education. Master degree studies end with a final exam and graduates receive a diploma. Doctoral studies are finalized through a thesis publicly defended and evaluated by a commission of specialists approved by the university senate.

14. Teachers Pre – primary education teacher and primary education teacher are trained in pedagogical high schools. Lower and upper secondary school teachers are trained in higher education.

15. Current reforms and priorities Romanian education system is under continuous changes and improvements in various domains and levels. Romanian education system is under continuous changes and improvements in various domains and levels. Curriculum reforms aims at: Curriculum reforms aims at: - more flexible enhancement curricula and syllabus; - more flexible enhancement curricula and syllabus; - revision of curriculum of the 2 cycle of high school; - revision of curriculum of the 2 cycle of high school; - curriculum adjustment to individual learning and training needs; - curriculum adjustment to individual learning and training needs; - development of creative and critical thinking, use of modern technologies, problem – solving; - development of creative and critical thinking, use of modern technologies, problem – solving; - linking acquired knowledge and competences to the new context, related to concrete situation of real life; - linking acquired knowledge and competences to the new context, related to concrete situation of real life; - valorizing compulsory education as a basis for lifelong learning. - valorizing compulsory education as a basis for lifelong learning.

16. Development of social partnership The local community providing reliable information about the local labor market can suggest adequate ways for meeting demand of certain qualifications. The local community providing reliable information about the local labor market can suggest adequate ways for meeting demand of certain qualifications. Further vocational training is carried out within the educational system, using specific programmes initiated and organized by public or private institutions, in the spirit of social partnership. Further vocational training is carried out within the educational system, using specific programmes initiated and organized by public or private institutions, in the spirit of social partnership.

17. Special needs The policy of integration is currently being developed in Romania. The policy of integration is currently being developed in Romania. Most children with SEN attend the corresponding special schools. Most children with SEN attend the corresponding special schools.