The “Second Chance” program is aimed at adolescents, young people, adults from diverse social backgrounds and of various ages, who have not attended or have not completed primary and lower secondary education. The program offers these categories of people the possibility to continue and complete compulsory education without being forced to interrupt their possible professional or family activities in which they are involved.

The program is structured on two levels: Second Chance – primary education and Second Chance – lower secondary education – the latter also having a component of professional training.

There is no upper age limit for those who wish to enroll in this program. The condition is that they have exceeded by at least 4 years the age corresponding to the class and they are in the following situations:

For the Second Chance – primary education program:

• they have not participated at all in formal – school – education;
• they were enrolled, but dropped out of primary education – regardless of the time and reasons for dropping out;
• they have not graduated primary education by the age of 14.

For the Second Chance – lower secondary education program:

• they have graduated compulsory primary education (including through the Second Chance system) but have not continued their education further

or:

• they have completed part of the lower secondary education grades (V, VI or VII), but dropped out of school during this education cycle – regardless of the time and reasons for dropping out.

The Second Chance program is a flexible program, so as to motivate learners and encourage them to complete it, to provide more autonomy to schools regarding its implementation, as well as the necessary support for all those involved, through teacher training programs and educational materials for learners and teachers. Through the program, innovative elements have been introduced in the educational process, such as: modular curriculum and credit system for basic education, the evaluation, certification and recognition of previously acquired skills by learners, ensuring an individualized training program.

Enrollment in the Second Chance program can be done each year in two sessions: October and February.

Students enrolled in the program may have very different levels and expectations. The new program provides a transparent offer of modules that students can take to develop skills, as a result of participating in cooperative learning activities, in real contexts and with tasks and topics that respond to their interests and needs.

Learning will take place in small groups (8-15 students in each class). Courses can be held according to various schedules (in the afternoon or evening during the week, on Saturday or during school holidays etc.) depending on the possibilities of the learners and the teaching staff. Hours are planned for individual consultations available to the students.

The program has a flexible duration. The average schooling period (2 years for primary education, 4 years for lower secondary education) can be reduced for each student individually, depending on the skills demonstrated, both in basic education and professional training.

Graduates have the right to continue their studies, according to the provisions of the law, as follows:

Graduates of the Second Chance Program - primary education can continue their studies in lower secondary education;

Graduates of the Second Chance Program - lower secondary education can continue their studies in upper secondary education (the upper cycle of high school) or may undergo practical training stages, after which they have the possibility to also obtain a level 3 professional qualification certificate.

For young people in the program the graduation certificate will not only represent a personal achievement, but the chance for another tomorrow.