The “Second Chance” program is aimed at adolescents, young people, adults, from diverse social backgrounds and of various ages, who have not attended or 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 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 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 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 complete 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 part of the classes 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 participants and encourage them to complete it, to offer more autonomy to schools regarding its implementation, but also the necessary support for all those involved, through teacher training programs and educational materials for students 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, the assessment, certification, and recognition of previously acquired competences by participants, and the provision of an individualized training program.

Enrollment in the Second Chance program can be done every 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 follow in order to develop skills, as a result of participation in cooperative learning activities, in real contexts and with tasks and assignments 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 (during the week in the afternoon or evening, on Saturdays, or during school holidays, etc.) depending on the possibilities of the participants and the teachers. Hours are planned for individual consultations available to students.

The program has a flexible duration. The average duration of schooling (2 years for primary education, 4 years for lower secondary education) can be shortened for each student, depending on proven competences, both in 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 may complete practical training stages, after which they can also obtain a level 3 professional qualification certificate.

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