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 4th; 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 5th to 8th
-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 8th 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 9th to 10th –compulsory)
-upper cycle (grades 11th to 12th – non-compulsory)
-there are no exams between the 10th and the 11th 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 12th grade the students can sit for the
high school final exam, called “Bacalaureat”
Vocational Schools
- post- middle school studies
- 3 years (9th to 11th 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: 34-36 weeks
Starting date: the 15th of September
Ending date: the 19th of June
Timetable:
50-minute classes; 10-minute breaks
Morning or afternoon classes

To monitor the organization and operation of the preuniversity 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
Administration
council
Teachers’ council
Heads of departments
Heads of commissions
Chief accountant
Chief secretary
Librarian
Teachers’ assistants
Deputy Principal
Counsellor
School
administration
ICT development
Educational projects
and programmes
School administrator
Administrative staff
Students tutors
Projects
coordinators
Teachers