The "Second Chance" program is addressed to adolescents, young people, and 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 possibility to continue and complete compulsory education without having to interrupt their possible 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 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 have not continued their education further

or:

• have completed part of the classes corresponding to lower secondary education (V, VI, or VII), but dropped out of school during this educational cycle – regardless of the time 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 regarding its implementation, but also the 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 into the educational process, such as: the modular curriculum and credit system for basic education, assessment, certification and recognition of previously acquired competencies by learners, and provision of individualized training programs.

Enrollment in the Second Chance program can take place 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 attend to build competencies, as a result of participating 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 take place according to several schedule options (on weekdays in the afternoon or evening, on Saturdays, or during school holidays, etc.) depending on the possibilities of learners and teaching staff. Individual consultation hours are planned and available to students.

The program has a flexible duration. The average schooling duration (2 years for primary education, respectively 4 years for lower secondary education) can be shortened for each student individually, depending on the demonstrated competencies, both in the field of 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 – primary education program can pursue studies in lower secondary education;

Graduates of the Second Chance – lower secondary education program can pursue studies in upper secondary education (upper cycle of high school) or can complete practical training stages, after which they have the possibility of also obtaining 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 of another tomorrow.