The “Second Chance” program is aimed at teenagers, youth, and adults from diverse social backgrounds and of various ages who have not attended or have not completed primary or lower secondary education. The program offers these categories of people the opportunity to continue and complete compulsory education without having to interrupt any professional or family activities they may be 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 have exceeded by at least 4 years the age corresponding to the grade and are 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;
• did not graduate from 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 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 give more autonomy to schools in terms of implementation, as well as the necessary support to all those involved, through teacher training programs and educational materials for both learners and teachers. Through the program, innovative elements have been introduced into the educational process, such as: modular curriculum and credit system for basic education, assessment, certification and recognition of previously acquired competencies by learners, provision of 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 may have very different levels and expectations. The new program provides a transparent offer of modules that students can follow in order to develop competencies, as a result of participating in cooperative learning activities, in real contexts, and with assignments and themes that meet their interests and needs.

Learning will take place in small groups (8-15 students in each class). Courses may take place according to several scheduling options (in the afternoon or evening during the week, on Saturdays, or during school holidays, etc.) depending on the learners’ and teachers’ possibilities. Hours are planned for individual consultations at the students’ disposal.

The program has a flexible duration. The average schooling period (2 years for primary education, and 4 years for lower secondary education) may be reduced for each student, depending on proven competencies, both in the field of basic education and in 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 lower 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 can complete practical training internships, after which they have the possibility to obtain a level 3 professional qualification certificate.

For the youths in the program, the graduation certificate will not represent just a personal success, but the chance for another tomorrow.