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

For the program Second Chance – primary education:

• have not participated at all in formal – school education;
• were enrolled, but abandoned primary education – regardless of the moment and reasons for abandonment;
• have not graduated from primary education by the age of 14.

For the program Second Chance – lower secondary education:

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

or:

• have graduated a part of the classes corresponding to lower secondary education (V, VI, or VII), but abandoned school during this cycle – regardless of the moment and reasons for abandonment.

The Second Chance program is a flexible program, designed to motivate learners and encourage them to complete it, to provide more autonomy to schools regarding its implementation, as well as necessary support to all those involved, through teacher training programs and educational materials for learners and teaching staff. Through the program, innovative elements have been introduced in the educational process, such as: modular curriculum and credit system for basic education, evaluation, certification and recognition of competencies previously acquired by learners, ensuring 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 participating in cooperative learning activities, in real contexts, 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 several schedule options (in the afternoons or evenings during the week, Saturdays, or during school holidays, etc.) depending on the possibilities of learners and teaching staff. Hours for individual consultations are planned, 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, depending on proven competencies, both in basic education and professional training.

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

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

Graduates of the Second Chance Program – lower secondary education can pursue studies in upper secondary education (the upper cycle of high school) or can undertake 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 the chance for another tomorrow.