The “Second Chance” program is addressed to adolescents, young people, 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 opportunity to continue and complete mandatory education without having to interrupt any 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 must be at least 4 years older than the appropriate age for the class 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 the moment and reasons for dropping out;
• have not graduated from primary education by the age of 14.

For the Second Chance – lower secondary education program:

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

or:

• have completed part of the classes corresponding to lower secondary education (V, VI, or VII), but dropped out during this educational cycle – regardless of the moment and reasons for dropping out.

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

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

The 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 acquire competencies, as a result of participating in cooperative learning activities, in real contexts, with assignments and topics that meet their interests and needs.

Learning will take place in small groups (8-15 students in each class). Courses may take place in various schedule patterns (during the week in the afternoon or evening, on Saturdays, or during school vacations, etc.) depending on the possibilities of the learners and teachers. Hours for individual consultations are scheduled at the students' disposal.

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

Graduates are entitled to continue their studies, according to the provisions of the law, as follows:

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

Graduates of the Second Chance Program - lower secondary education may continue their studies in upper secondary education (upper cycle of high school) or may take 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 also the chance for another tomorrow.