The “Second Chance” program is addressed to adolescents, young people, adults, coming from various social backgrounds and 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 any professional or family activities they may be involved in.

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

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 corresponding age for their grade and are in the following situations:

For the Second Chance – primary education program:

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

For the Second Chance – lower secondary education program:

• have graduated from compulsory primary education (including in the Second Chance system) but did not continue their education further

or:

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

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

Enrollment in the Second Chance program can be done every 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 to develop competences, as a result of participating in cooperative learning activities, in real contexts, with tasks and topics that meet their interests and needs.

Learning will take place in small groups (8-15 students in each class). Classes can be held according to several timetable options (during the week in the afternoon or evening, on Saturdays or during school holidays, etc.) depending on the possibilities of the learners and teachers. Hours are planned for individual consultations available to students.

The program has a flexible duration. The average schooling duration (2 years for primary education, and 4 years for lower secondary education) can be shortened for each student individually, depending on proven competences, both in basic education and in vocational 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 (upper secondary cycle of high school) or undertake practical training internships, after which they have the opportunity to obtain a level 3 professional qualification certificate.

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