The “Second Chance” program is aimed at adolescents, young people, and adults from diverse social backgrounds and varying ages, who have not attended or have not completed primary and lower secondary education. The program offers these categories of individuals the opportunity to continue and complete mandatory education without having to interrupt any professional or family activities in which they are involved.

The program is structured into 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 must have surpassed by at least 4 years the age corresponding to the class, and find themselves 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 time and reasons for dropping out;
• have not completed 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 education further

or:

• have completed some of the grades corresponding to lower secondary education (V, VI or VII), but dropped out during this cycle of education – regardless of the moment and reasons for dropping 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 as regards its implementation, but also the necessary support to all those involved, through teacher training programs and educational materials for learners and teachers. 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 previously acquired competencies by learners, ensuring an individualized training program.

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

Students enrolled in the program can have very different levels and expectations. The new program provides a transparent offer of modules that students can take to develop competencies, as a result of participating in cooperative learning activities, in real contexts, and with tasks and themes that meet 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 afternoon or evening during the week, on Saturdays, or during school vacations, etc.) depending on the possibilities of learners and teachers. Individual consultation hours are planned at the 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 the skills proven, both in basic education and in vocational training.

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

Graduates of the Second Chance – primary education program may pursue studies in lower secondary education;

Graduates of the Second Chance – lower secondary education program may pursue studies in upper secondary education (the upper secondary school cycle) or may complete practical training stages, after which they can also obtain a Level 3 vocational qualification certificate.

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