The “Second Chance” program targets teenagers, 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 opportunity to continue and complete compulsory education without having to interrupt any professional or family activities they may be involved 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 wishing to enroll in this program. The condition is that they must have exceeded by at least 4 years the age corresponding to 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 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 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 trainees and encourage them to complete it, to provide more autonomy for schools in its implementation, as well as the necessary support for all those involved, through teacher training programs and educational materials for both trainees and teaching staff. Through this 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 skills previously acquired by trainees, 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 can have very different levels and expectations. The new program ensures a transparent offer of modules that students can follow to acquire skills, as a result of participating in cooperative learning activities, in real contexts and with tasks and subjects 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 (in the afternoons or evenings during the week, on Saturdays or during school holidays, etc.) depending on the possibilities of the trainees and teaching staff. Hours for individual consultations are scheduled for students.

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

Graduates have the right to continue their studies, according to the provisions of the law, 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 undergo practical training periods, after which they have the opportunity to obtain a level 3 vocational qualification certificate as well.

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