The "Second Chance" program is aimed at adolescents, young people, adults from various 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 having to interrupt any 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 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 age corresponding to the grade and are in one of 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 time or reasons for dropping out;
• did not graduate from primary education by the age of 14.

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 graduated from part of the grades corresponding to lower secondary education (V, VI or VII), but dropped out during this educational cycle – regardless of the time or reasons for dropping out.

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

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 follow to develop competencies, as a result of participation 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). Courses can be held in various timetables (in the afternoons or evenings during the week, on Saturdays or during school vacations etc.), depending on the possibilities of the learners and teaching staff. Hours for individual consultations are planned and at students’ disposal.

The program has a flexible duration. The average duration of schooling (2 years for primary education, and 4 years for lower secondary education) can be reduced for each student, depending on competencies demonstrated both in basic education and 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 may attend studies in lower secondary education;

Graduates of the Second Chance Program – lower secondary education may attend studies in upper secondary education (upper cycle of high school) or may take practical training stages, after which they have the possibility 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 at another tomorrow.