Alba County School Inspectorate*

Higher education is organized in universities, academies of studies, institutes, schools of higher studies, hereinafter referred to as higher education institutions or universities, which have obtained provisional authorization to operate or accreditation.

Higher education institutions are education providers that carry out teaching activities based on study programs authorized to operate provisionally/accredited under the law, for initial and continuous university-level training, programs that operate on the principle of quality and the correlation of the educational offer with the labor market.

The national higher education system includes all accredited higher education institutions. A higher education institution authorized to operate provisionally, according to the legal procedures in force, becomes part of the national higher education system only after accreditation. For more information, you can also visit the website of the Romanian Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education - www.aracis.ro .

Higher education institutions can be public, private, or confessional. These institutions have legal personality, are nonprofit, and are apolitical. Higher education institutions are legal persons of public law or, as the case may be, legal persons of private law and of public utility.

University autonomy is guaranteed by the Constitution. Academic freedom is guaranteed by law. Public accountability is also regulated for any higher education institution, public or private.

By an annual government decision, the following are validated:

• The nomenclature of fields and specializations/university study programs per union
• the structure of accredited or provisionally authorized public and private higher education institutions, with:
  • fields of undergraduate university studies and accredited or provisionally authorized specializations/study programs,
  • geographical locations of activity,
  • number of transferable study credits for each university study program,
  • form of education and language of instruction,
  • maximum number of students who can be enrolled

The mission of higher education is to generate and transfer knowledge to society both through initial and continuous university-level training, for personal development, the professional integration of the individual, and meeting the competence needs of the socio-economic environment, as well as through scientific research, development, innovation, and technology transfer, through individual and collective creation, in the field of sciences, engineering sciences, arts, letters, by ensuring performance and physical and sports development, as well as the capitalization and dissemination of their results. All these are carried out with respect for the following principles:

a) the principle of university autonomy;

b) the principle of academic freedom;

c) the principle of public responsibility;

d) the principle of quality assurance;

e) the principle of equity;

f) the principle of managerial and financial efficiency;

g) the principle of transparency;

h) the principle of respect for the rights and freedoms of students and academic staff;

i) the principle of independence from ideologies, religions, and political doctrines;

j) the principle of freedom of national and international mobility of students, teaching staff, and researchers;

k) the principle of consulting social partners in decision-making;

l) the principle of student-centered education.

Structure of the academic year (according to Law no. 1/2011 – art. 136)

• The academic year usually starts on the first working day of October, includes two semesters, and ends on September 30 of the following calendar year.
• A semester usually lasts 14 weeks of teaching activities followed, as a rule, by at least 3 weeks of examinations.
• The structure of the academic year is approved by the university senate.
• In the allocation of transferable study credits from a semester, a period of at least 17 weeks is considered.
• The university senate of each higher education institution annually approves, at least 3 months before the start of the academic year, the regulation on students’ professional activity, as well as the calendar of educational activities specific to academic study semesters.

“Professional scholarship” is a national social program that addresses all students attending vocational education and consists of monthly financial support.

“Professional scholarship” is also granted to children of foreigners who are beneficiaries of a form of protection in Romania or to foreigners, respectively citizens of the European Union/European Economic Area and of the Swiss Confederation with the right of residence/stay on the territory of Romania, who attend vocational education.

Students in vocational education cannot simultaneously benefit from both the “Professional scholarship” and the financial support granted to students within the National Social Protection Program “Money for High School”.

At the level of the Ministry of Education, a national committee is established to monitor the granting of the “Professional scholarship”.

The Ministry of Education has been running for over 12 years the national social protection program "High School Money", through which financial support is provided for students in high schools and schools of arts and trades.

For students who wish to obtain this financial support, we have launched the High School Money portal, which, together with the discussion forum dedicated to this national program, represents an efficient means of information.

Beneficiaries are students who are supported by families whose gross monthly income per family member, earned in the last 3 months prior to the submission of the application, is a maximum of 500 lei, as well as students who benefit from a protection measure or are under guardianship or trusteeship, if the above-mentioned income condition is respected.

The documents will be submitted as copies, provided that, at the time of application, the applicant also presents the original documents.

IMPORTANT!

By adopting the Government Decision 712/2018 (available attached), starting with the 2018-2019 school year, each beneficiary will receive monthly, for the entire duration of the courses, provided that all the legal conditions are met, the amount of 250 lei/month.
In addition to the indexation of this amount (from 180 lei/month), the maximum threshold for granting the scholarship was also increased from 150 lei to 500 lei/family member, given the need to correlate the support threshold with the current economic situation.

This procedure regulates the manner of organization and conduct of the language proficiency test for admission to the 5th grade with an intensive modern international language teaching program, at the level of public or private pre-university education institutions in Romania, based on the provisions of Art. 6 (2) and (3) of the Framework Regulation on the organization and functioning of classes with intensive or bilingual teaching of a modern language in pre-university education institutions, approved by OMEN no. 4797/31.08.2017.

The 2018 National Baccalaureate Exam is conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Methodology for the organization and conduct of the Baccalaureate exam - 2011 (approved by order of the Minister of Education, Research, Youth and Sports no. 4.799/2010 regarding the organization and conduct of the Baccalaureate exam - 2011, with subsequent amendments), and with the provisions of the attached ministerial order.

The dedicated portal http://bacalaureat.edu.ro offers updated information regarding the methodology, schedule, and results of the baccalaureate exam.

Enrollment in primary education is based on a methodology approved by the Ministry of Education.

Thus, children who turn 6 years old by August 31, 2018, inclusive, must be enrolled in the preparatory class, in accordance with the Education Law.

Parents have to go to school inspectorates and educational institutions, which have the obligation to ensure information and counseling regarding registration.

At the headquarters of inspectorates and educational institutions, lists with school districts must be displayed, and parents must be informed about the content of the educational activities carried out in the preparatory class, the teaching approach, the organization of the school program, etc.

Children who turn 6 years old between September 1 and December 31, 2018, inclusive, can be enrolled if their psychosomatic development is appropriate.

All educational institutions have the obligation to provide information regarding the procedure for enrolling children in primary education, regardless of whether the parents belong to the respective district or not.

Educational incentives are granted to children from disadvantaged families under the condition that the following criteria are met cumulatively:

a) the child is enrolled in a preschool education unit, according to LEN no.1/2011, with subsequent amendments and completions;

b) the monthly income per family member is of up to twice the level of the guaranteed minimum income for a single person, provided by Law no. 416/2001 regarding the guaranteed minimum income, with subsequent amendments and completions.

Law no. 248/2015 regarding the stimulation of participation in preschool education of children from disadvantaged families; Government Decision No. 15/2016 for the approval of the Methodological Norms for applying the provisions of Law no. 248/2015 regarding the stimulation of participation in preschool education of children from disadvantaged families and the procedure for granting social vouchers for kindergarten.

The National Evaluation for 8th grade students represents the method of external summative evaluation of the competencies acquired during lower secondary education.

The exam takes place annually in a single session. Both candidates from public education and those from private education have the right to take the National Evaluation free of charge.

The average obtained at the National Evaluation VIII is a decisive criterion for admission to high school education.

The national coordination of the planning, organization, and conduct of the National Evaluation VIII, as well as the valorization of its results, are ensured by the Ministry of Education through the National Center for Evaluation and Examination (CNEE).

The development of specific evaluation procedures is carried out by CNEE, following consultations with the specialized departments of the ministry.

The county/Bucharest municipal-level coordination of the organization of the National Evaluation VIII, as well as the valorization of its results, are ensured by the school inspectorate.

In order to stimulate school attendance, in 2002 the School Supplies Program was launched, addressing students in state primary and lower secondary education, day courses. At the beginning of each school year, packages with school supplies specific to each grade are distributed.

The composition of the school supply packages granted to students is established based on the Methodology for the Application of the Provisions of Law no. 126/2002 for the approval of Government Emergency Ordinance no. 33/2001 regarding the granting of school supplies.

Funding application submitted by the Ministry of National Education, at the beginning of September 2017, through the Operational Programme for Aid for Disadvantaged Persons (POAD) 2014-2020 has been approved. The decision allows, starting with this school year, the purchase of supplies for preschoolers, as well as the addition of backpacks to the packages of supplies granted to students in primary and lower secondary education.

The "School after school" program (ȘDȘ) is a program complementary to the mandatory school curriculum, offering opportunities for formal and non-formal learning, for consolidating competencies, remedial and accelerated learning through educational, recreational and leisure activities and is addressed both to students in primary education, as well as students in secondary education.

The SDS program can take place before or after the mandatory school schedule (depending on the timetable of each level of study), at the school, in case it has the material and human resources necessary to organize this program.

In primary education, the SDS program includes activities with specialized support (supervision and guidance in doing homework, recovery for students with cognitive, emotional difficulties, speech disorders through remedial activities, counseling, speech therapy, activities to encourage independent reading, etc.), workshops / thematic activities and other types of recreational activities.

Each school, depending on the target group, creates modules of activity packages, by combining the activities mentioned above.

In secondary education, the SDS program includes the activity package for accelerated learning and performance (preparation for participation in school competitions and olympiads, sports, artistic, and subject competitions, participation/organization of festivals, exhibitions, realization of school publications, participation in European cooperation activities), the support activity package (providing psycho-pedagogical assistance for recovering learning gaps, support activities for homework, remedial activities, psychological counseling) and the life skills preparation package (organizing activities for personal development, activities aimed at developing an active attitude and student involvement, healthy lifestyle, career education, etc.).

The program can be organized modularly, on time units established at the level of the educational institution, depending on the target group and identified needs, by combining packages of activities oriented towards the development of transferable competencies.

The program is carried out in groups of students (maximum 12 students), constituted according to identified options and needs. The activities are designed, organized and supported by teachers from primary and secondary education, counselors, support teachers, librarians, speech therapists, laboratory staff, pedagogues, coaches, school mediators, volunteers from the school, from skilled partner institutions and organizations.

Special and integrated special education is an integral part of the Romanian national education system and offers all children/pupils/young people educational programs adapted to the degree of disability and their developmental needs.

It is organized at all levels of pre-university education, depending on the type and degree of disability, as follows: mental, hearing, visual, locomotor, associated. 

Inclusive education was adopted in Romania as early as the 1990s by respecting diversity, initiating and practically enabling access and participation in education and social life for all categories of children. Today, approximately half of all students with disabilities are educated in mainstream education.

The legislation in the field of special education has been designed to respond to a wide and very varied spectrum of special situations. Taking this reality into account, special, integrated special, and inclusive education has been organized at all levels of pre-university education, depending on the type and degree of disability.

The special education units for students with sensory impairments apply the curriculum of mainstream schools. These units keep only the structure and organizational form of the special education system, while in content, school preparation, and specialization they are similar to mainstream schools. Special technological high schools, high school classes, and special post-secondary classes are organized according to the model of mainstream education (content, profiles, specializations, outcomes, objectives, and/or competences). Specific to these units remain the strategies, modalities, and methods of teaching/learning.

Upon graduation, students from these special education units take national exams (tests, baccalaureate, or graduation exam) just like all graduates from mainstream education. For them, facilities and adaptations are stipulated in the methodologies for organizing and conducting the exams.

For each student with severe, profound, or associated disabilities, a personalized intervention plan is developed with objectives specific to their needs and psycho-individual development possibilities.

Students with special educational needs benefit from adaptations of examination procedures also in the case of current assessments.

This methodology includes norms for the organization and conduct of the certification exam for the qualification of high school graduates, technological pathway, hereinafter referred to as the certification exam, for obtaining the qualification certificate, in accordance with art. 31 para. (6) and art. 77 para. (6) and (7) of the National Education Law no. 1/2011, with subsequent amendments and completions.

High school graduates, technological pathway, who take and pass the certification exam obtain the level 4 qualification certificate, according to the National Qualifications Framework, and the descriptive supplement of the certificate, in Europass format.

Post-secondary education is organized for professional qualifications established by the Ministry of National Education in accordance with the National Register of Qualifications.

In post-secondary education, high school graduates, with or without a baccalaureate diploma, can enroll, admission being conducted in accordance with the general criteria established by the Ministry of National Education.

Post-secondary education is carried out through post-secondary schools and foreman schools. Both the post-secondary school and the foreman school represent specialized training routes, with a duration of 1-3 years, depending on the complexity of the qualification.

Graduates of post-secondary education who pass the certification exam for professional qualification acquire a level 5 qualification certificate according to the National Qualifications Framework, corresponding to reference level 5 of the European Qualifications Framework (specialized technician) and the descriptive supplement of the certificate, according to Europass.

Post-secondary education is organized in post-secondary schools, within high schools with legal personality, or in colleges within accredited higher education institutions.

Schooling in state post-secondary education is financed through the local budgets of administrative-territorial units, from amounts allocated from state budget revenues and from local budgets revenues. Schooling can also be financed by applicants, natural or legal persons, through a contract concluded with the educational unit providing the schooling.

Credits for education and vocational training obtained in post-secondary education can be recognized for graduates with a baccalaureate diploma by universities, based on university senate decisions, as transferable study credits for the bachelor's level.

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The admission of 8th grade graduates to public high school education for the 2018-2019 school year is carried out according to the normative framework approved by the Ministry of Education.

The admission of 8th grade graduates to public high school education for the 2018-2019 school year is conducted in accordance with the methodology for organizing and conducting the admission to public high school education for the 2011-2012 school year, approved by order of the Minister of Education, Research, Youth, and Sports no. 4.802/2010 regarding the organization and conduct of the admission to public high school education for the 2011-2012 school year.

The aptitude tests organized for admission in the 2018-2019 school year to vocational high schools are held in accordance with the methodology for organizing and conducting and the structure of the aptitude tests for admission to vocational high schools, stipulated in annex no. 3 to the order of the Minister of National Education no. 4.432/2014, with subsequent amendments.

The admission of 8th grade graduates to public professional education for the 2018-2019 school year is carried out in accordance with the Methodology for organizing and conducting admission to public professional education, approved by Order of the Minister of National Education and Scientific Research no. 5.068/2016.

The admission of 8th grade graduates to dual system professional education for the 2018-2019 school year is carried out in accordance with the framework methodology for organizing and conducting the admission to dual system professional education for level 3 professional qualifications, according to the National Qualifications Framework, approved by order of the Minister of National Education no. 3.556/2017.

Candidates who, during lower secondary education, pass internationally recognized examinations for the certification of linguistic competences in foreign languages, may request the recognition and equivalency of the results obtained in these exams with the test for assessing modern language skills for admission to 9th grade classes with bilingual instruction in a modern language of international circulation.

Teaching and research titles

Employment in a teaching or research position within higher education institutions is on a fixed-term or indefinite basis. Employment for an indefinite period in any teaching or research position is only possible through a public competition, organized by the higher education institution, after obtaining the doctoral degree. See also HG_457_2011 (annex 8).

Only persons who meet the minimum and mandatory standards for registration in the competition for occupying teaching and research positions in higher education, approved by Order no. 6560/2012 regarding the approval of the minimum necessary and mandatory standards for granting teaching titles in higher education and research-development professional degrees, with subsequent amendments and completions (annex 9), may apply for these positions.

The following teaching and research positions are found in higher education institutions:

- teaching positions:

a) university assistant;

b) university lecturer/laboratory chief;

c) associate professor;

d) university professor.

- research positions:

a) research assistant;

b) scientific researcher;

c) scientific researcher grade III;

d) scientific researcher grade II;

e) scientific researcher grade I.

The equivalence of research positions with teaching positions is as follows:

a) scientific researcher is equivalent to university assistant, for those holding a doctoral degree;

b) scientific researcher grade III is equivalent to university lecturer/laboratory chief;

c) scientific researcher grade II is equivalent to associate professor;

d) scientific researcher grade I is equivalent to university professor.

The general nomenclature of teaching and auxiliary research positions in higher education is approved by Joint Order (MENCS/MMFPSPV) no. 6419/2858/2011 (annex 10).

Higher education institutions with available positions can be found here: www.jobs.edu.ro

I. PRE-UNIVERSITY EDUCATION:

The methodology for schooling Romanians from abroad in Romanian state pre-university education on study places without paying tuition fees but with a scholarship, or without paying tuition fees but without a scholarship, starting with the 2017-2018 school year

1. Pre-university registration form 2018-2019​

2. Pre-university education places offer 2018-2019

Both the registration form and the offer of places in pre-university education will also be published on the website of the School Inspectorate of Iași county: http://www.isjiasi.ro

3. Files will be sent to the School Inspectorate of Iași county, in accordance with the calendar;

4. Additional information can be obtained from the School Inspectorate of Iași county.

II. HIGHER EDUCATION:​

1. In the 2018 - 2019 university year, Romanian state higher education institutions organize the admission competition for Romanians from abroad, including citizens of the Republic of Moldova, for undergraduate/master's/doctoral studies, based on university autonomy, similar to the previous year, according to the provisions of the schooling methodology in higher education;

2. Candidates may choose any field of study and any Romanian state higher education institution, or, in the case of candidates from the Republic of Moldova, within the branches opened by Romanian universities in Chișinău, Cahul, and Bălți;

3. To ensure compliance with the deadline set by higher education institutions, we recommend exclusively sending application files to universities, to avoid delays in receiving/processing them, if sent through other channels;

4. Enrollment in Romanian accredited state and private higher education, in places with tuition fees in lei, is done based on the provisions of MEN Order no. 4294/29.06.2017;

5. Additional information regarding admission to Romanian universities can be obtained by accessing the links of each higher education institution in the informational document attached to this procedure.

In the case of incorrect completion due to the fault of the educational institution issuing the original diploma, or in the case of the presentation of the original diploma damaged in such a way that it can no longer produce the effects for which it was issued, based on a written request from the applicant, the educational institution that issued the respective document issues a duplicate of it, prepared on the basis of the documents in the archive of the educational institution from which the applicant's school situation results.

In the case of loss, destruction or theft of the original diploma, the request for the issuance of the duplicate is accompanied by the following documents, which are archived with a retention period of 100 years at the school inspectorate, and the "certified true copy" documents at the educational institution:

a) the notarized/consular statement, given by the holder of the document, containing all the elements necessary for identification, the circumstances in which the original document was lost, as well as other details to confirm the disappearance of the respective diploma. The following mention shall be made obligatorily: "the original diploma was not left as pledge/guarantee at a state or private institution, in the country or abroad, and was not knowingly transferred to another natural or legal person";

b) proof of publication of the loss, destruction or theft of the diploma in the Official Gazette of Romania, Part III;

c) notarized copy of the birth/marriage certificate;

d) two color photographs, size 3 x 4 cm;

e) written approval from the board of administration of the school inspectorate for issuing the duplicate, following the documents submitted by the educational institution.

For more details please consult:

ORDER No. 3844/2016 of May 24, 2016 for the approval of the Regulation regarding the regime of diplomas and school documents managed by pre-university educational institutions

1. Enrollment in Pre-university Education

1.1. Admission Conditions

1.1.1. Students from third countries outside the EU may be enrolled in the Romanian pre-university education system if one of the parents, guardians or legal supporters meets one of the following conditions:

is repatriated;
has, through marriage, residence in Romania;
is a holder of a residence permit in Romania;
carries out, in accordance with the legal provisions, activities on the territory of Romania;
is studying in state/accredited private higher or postgraduate education in Romania.

1.2. Application File

1.2.1. The student’s file is transmitted to MEN – General Directorate for International Relations and European Affairs (DGRIAE), by the County School Inspectorate (ISJ)/Bucharest School Inspectorate (ISMB) where the chosen educational institution operates, and contains the following documents:

Copies of the identity documents of the student and of the parents/guardian/legal supporter (student’s birth certificate, student’s passport, parents’ passport, student’s residence permit, parents’ residence permit, if available);
Copy and legalized translation of the student’s birth certificate;
Copy of the court decision on the custody of the minor child, if applicable;
Copies and legalized translations of school records;
Application for enrollment in studies, endorsed by the management of the educational institution in which the enrollment will be made.

1.3. Enrollment in Studies

1.3.1. Enrollment is completed by approval issued by MEN – DGRIAE, based on the educational documents in the personal file, without difference exams.

1.3.2. The enrollment of students from third countries outside the EU, based on periods of study carried out abroad, proven by school records, can also be carried out during the school year, in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation for the organization and functioning of pre-university educational institutions, approved by Order of the Minister of National Education no. 5115/2014

1.3.3. At the request of the parents/guardian, the enrollment of the student can also be done in a class lower than the level of studies resulting from the documents.

1.4. Tuition Fees

1.4.1. In compulsory education, foreign students benefit from schooling under the same conditions as Romanian citizens.

1.4.2. In secondary upper high school education, students from third countries outside the EU pay tuition fees, in accordance with the provisions of Law no. 1/2011.

1.4.3. In pre-university education at all levels, foreign citizens who have obtained a form of protection in Romania can be schooled, under the same conditions as Romanian citizens. The class in which students in this category, who do not have educational documents, may be enrolled will be established following an assessment made by the educational unit nominated by ISJ/ISMB.

2. Taking the baccalaureate exam by citizens from third countries outside the EU who have completed high school studies in another education system and do not possess a baccalaureate diploma or its equivalent

2.1. Citizens from third countries outside the EU who have completed high school studies in another system and do not possess a baccalaureate diploma or its equivalent may, upon request, take the national baccalaureate exam, depending on the profile of secondary studies completed, in an exam center established by the County/Bucharest Municipality Baccalaureate Commission.

2.2. The taking of the national baccalaureate exam by citizens from third countries outside the EU who have completed high school studies in another education system and do not possess a baccalaureate diploma or its equivalent is conditioned by the payment of the tuition fee, according to the provisions of Law no. 1/2011.

The “Second Chance” program is addressed to adolescents, young people, and adults from diverse social backgrounds and 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 engaged.

For the Second Chance – primary education program:

• they have not participated at all in formal – school – education;
• they were enrolled but dropped out of primary education – regardless of the time and reasons for dropping out;
• they did not graduate from primary education by the age of 14.

For the Second Chance – lower secondary education program:

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

or:

• they have completed some of the classes corresponding to lower secondary education (grades 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 a flexible program, so as to motivate learners and encourage them to complete it, provide schools with greater autonomy regarding its implementation, as well as the necessary support for all involved, through teacher training programs and educational materials for learners and teachers. 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 competences 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 ensures a transparent offer of modules that students can take to develop competences, as a result of participating in cooperative learning activities, in real contexts and 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 scheduling options (weekday afternoons or evenings, Saturdays, or during school holidays, etc.) depending on the possibilities of the learners and the teaching staff. Hours for individual consultations are planned and available for students.

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 competences demonstrated, both in the field of basic education and 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 (upper cycle of high school) or may complete practical training stages, after which they have the possibility to also obtain a level 3 professional qualification certificate.

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

The admission of 8th grade graduates to public high school education for the 2018-2019 school year is conducted according to the normative framework approved by the Ministry of Education.

The admission of 8th grade graduates to public high school education for the 2018-2019 school year is carried out in accordance with the methodology for organizing and conducting admission to public high school education for the 2011-2012 school year, approved by the Order of the Minister of Education, Research, Youth and Sports no. 4.802/2010 regarding the organization and conduct of admission to public high school education for the 2011-2012 school year.

The aptitude tests organized for admission in the 2018-2019 school year in vocational high schools are conducted in accordance with the methodology for organizing and conducting and the structure of the aptitude tests for admission in vocational high schools, provided in Annex no. 3 to the Order of the Minister of National Education no. 4.432/2014, with subsequent amendments.

Candidates who pass, during lower secondary education, internationally recognized exams for the certification of language skills in foreign languages can request the recognition and equivalence of the results obtained in these exams with the test for verifying modern language knowledge for admission to 9th grade classes with bilingual teaching programs in a modern language of international circulation.

The Ministry of National Education informs that, in order to enroll children aged between 3 and 6 years in preschool education, the following stages will take place successively at the level of each educational unit:

• re-registration of children who attend kindergarten in this school year and want to attend it in the 2018-2019 school year - will begin on May 7;
• registration of newly enrolled children will take place starting May 21.

The schedule for re-registrations and registrations will be set by the management of the educational unit and will be posted, in a visible place, in each kindergarten, for the information of parents and the interested public, including on their website (if available), and possibly on the websites of school inspectorates.

The allocation of available spots, after finalizing the re-registration process, will generally be made in descending order of age groups, as follows: the large group (5-year-old children), the middle group (4-year-old children), and the small group (3-year-old children). Based on Government Decision no. 1.252/2012 and within the available spots, children aged between 2 and 3 years may also be enrolled in the small group.

If, in an educational unit, the number of registration requests is higher than the number of available spots, general selection criteria and specific selection criteria will be applied successively.

The general selection criteria are as follows:

• existence of a document proving that a child is an orphan of both parents (the situation of a child coming from a children’s home/a placement center/foster care is assimilated to the situation of a child orphaned by both parents);
• existence of a document proving that they are an orphan of a single parent;
• existence of a brother/sister enrolled in the respective educational unit;
• existence of a medical certificate certifying the child's degree of disability.

The specific selection criteria (developed by each preschool educational unit, approved by its board of administration, and approved by the County School Inspectorate/of Bucharest municipality until May 18) cannot be discriminatory and cannot include pre-registration lists. Also, the specific selection criteria will only be applied after all general criteria have been exhausted.

To ensure the transparency of the re-registration/registration process, the management of preschool educational units will visibly display for all interested the following information:

• the institution’s capacity (number of children it was designed for);
• the number of places approved by the school plan for the 2018-2019 school year (by age group: small, middle, large);
• the general and specific criteria for enrolling children;
• the number of children re-registered/registered daily (during the set period) out of the total available.

We mention that private preschool education units also have the obligation to display in a visible place information about their status, namely whether they are authorized to operate provisionally or are accredited by the Agency for Quality Assurance in Pre-University Education (ARACIP).