The "Second Chance" program is addressed to adolescents, young people, and adults from various social backgrounds and of different 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 having to interrupt their possible professional or family activities in which they are engaged.

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

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

For the program Second Chance – primary education:

• have not attended formal – school education at all;
• were enrolled but dropped out of primary education – regardless of when and for what reason they dropped out;
• have not completed primary education by the age of 14.

For the program Second Chance – lower secondary education:

• have completed compulsory primary education (including in the Second Chance system) but have not continued their education further

or:

• have completed part of the corresponding lower secondary education grades (V, VI or VII) but dropped out during this education cycle – regardless of when and for what reason they dropped out.

The Second Chance program is a flexible program, designed to motivate students and encourage them to complete it, to provide more autonomy to schools in its implementation, as well as the necessary support for all involved, through training programs for teaching staff and educational materials for students and teachers. Through the program, innovative elements have been introduced in the educational process, such as: modular curriculum and the credit system for basic education, evaluation, certification, and recognition of competencies previously acquired by students, ensuring an individualized preparation 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 ensures a transparent offer of modules that students can take in order to develop competencies, as a result of participating in cooperative learning activities, in real contexts, with tasks and themes that respond to their interests and needs.

Learning will take place in small groups (8-15 students in each class). Courses may be held under various timetable options (during the week in the afternoon or evening, on Saturdays or during school holidays, etc.) depending on the availability of students and teachers. Hours are scheduled for individual consultations available to the students.

The program has a flexible duration. The average duration of schooling (2 years for primary education, respectively 4 years for lower secondary education) may be shortened for each student individually, depending on the competencies demonstrated, both in basic education and professional training.

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

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

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

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