The “Second Chance” program is aimed at adolescents, young people, adults from diverse social backgrounds and of 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 their professional or family activities in which they may be 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 must be at least 4 years older than the appropriate age for the class and who 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 or 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 grades corresponding to lower secondary education (V, VI or VII), but dropped out of school during this educational cycle – regardless of the time or reasons for dropping out.

The Second Chance program is a flexible program, so as to motivate students and determine them to complete it, to offer schools more autonomy regarding its implementation, but also the necessary support for all those involved, through teacher training programs and educational materials for students and teachers. Through the program, innovative elements have been introduced in the educational process, such as: modular curriculum and credit system for basic education, assessment, certification and recognition of previously acquired competences by students, 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 follow in order to develop competences, as a result of participating in cooperative learning activities, in real contexts, and with tasks and topics that address their interests and needs.

Learning will take place in small groups (8-15 students in each class). Courses can be held after several timetable options (during the week in the afternoon or evening, on Saturday or during school holidays, etc.) depending on the possibilities of the students and teachers. Hours for individual counseling are planned at the students' disposal.

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

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

Graduates of the Second Chance Program – primary education can pursue studies in lower secondary education;

Graduates of the Second Chance Program – lower secondary education can pursue studies in upper secondary education (upper cycle of high school) or can undertake practical training stages, after which they have the possibility to obtain a level 3 vocational qualification certificate as well.

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