The “Second Chance” program is addressed to adolescents, young people, adults, coming from various 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 any work 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 vocational training component.

There is no upper age limit for those who wish to enroll in this program. The condition is that they must have exceeded by at least 4 years the age corresponding to the grade and who are in the following situations:

For the Second Chance – primary education program:

• have not participated at all in formal – school – education;
• have been enrolled but dropped out from primary education – regardless of the moment and reasons for dropping out;
• have not graduated from primary education by the age of 14.

For the Second Chance – lower secondary education program:

• have graduated from compulsory primary education (including in the Second Chance system) but have not continued their education further

or:

• have graduated a part of the classes corresponding to lower secondary education (V, VI or VII), but dropped out from school during this education cycle – regardless of the moment and reasons for dropping out.

The Second Chance Program is a flexible program, so as to motivate learners and determine them to complete it, to offer more autonomy to schools regarding its implementation, as well as the necessary support for all involved, through training programs for teaching staff and educational materials for learners and teachers. Through the program, innovative elements have been introduced in the educational process, such as: modular curriculum and credit system for basic education, evaluation, certification and recognition of previously acquired competences by learners, ensuring 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 may have very different levels and expectations. The new program provides a transparent offer of modules that students can attend to develop competencies, as a result of participation in cooperative learning activities, in real contexts and with tasks and topics that meet their interests and needs.

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

The program has a flexible duration. The average schooling time (2 years for primary education, 4 years for lower secondary education) can be shortened for each student individually, depending on the demonstrated competencies, both in basic education and vocational 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 undergo practical training stages, after which they have the opportunity to also obtain a level 3 professional qualification certificate.

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