The “Second Chance” program is aimed at adolescents, young people, and adults from various social backgrounds and ages, who did not attend or did not complete primary and secondary education. The program offers these categories of people the possibility to continue and finish compulsory education without having to interrupt their possible professional or family activities they are engaged in.

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 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 graduated from primary education by the age of 14.

For the Second Chance – lower secondary education program:

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

or:

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

The Second Chance program is flexible, so as to motivate learners and determine them to complete it, to offer more autonomy to schools regarding its implementation, as well as 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 the credit system for basic education, evaluation, certification and recognition of competencies previously acquired by the learners, and ensuring an individualized preparation program.

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 provides a transparent offer of modules that students can follow to acquire skills, as a result of participating in cooperative learning activities, in real contexts and 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 conducted according to several schedules (during the week in the afternoon or evening, on Saturdays or during school holidays, etc.) depending on the possibilities of the learners and teachers. Individual consultations are planned and available to students.

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

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

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

Graduates of the Second Chance Program - lower secondary education can continue their studies in upper secondary education (upper cycle of high school) or undertake practical training periods, 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.