The “Second Chance” program targets adolescents, young people, and adults from various social backgrounds and with different ages, who have not attended or completed primary and 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 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 when and why they dropped out;
• did not graduate primary education by the age of 14.

For the Second Chance – lower secondary education program:

• graduated compulsory primary education (including through the Second Chance system) but did not continue their education

or:

• have completed some of the corresponding grades of lower secondary education (V, VI or VII), but dropped out during this educational cycle – regardless of when and why they dropped out.

The Second Chance program is a flexible program, designed to motivate learners and encourage them to complete it, to offer more autonomy to schools regarding its implementation, and also to provide the necessary support to all those involved through teacher training programs and educational materials for learners and teachers. The program introduced innovative elements to the educational process, such as: modular curriculum and credit system for basic education, assessment, certification, and recognition of previously acquired competencies, and the 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 ensures a transparent offer of modules that students can attend to develop competencies as a result of participating in cooperative learning activities, in real contexts, with tasks and assignments that respond to their interests and needs.

Learning will take place in small groups (8-15 students in each class). Courses can be held according to several scheduling options (in the afternoons or evenings during the week, on Saturdays, or during school vacations, etc.) depending on the possibilities of learners and teachers. Individual consultation hours are planned and 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 reduced for each student depending on the competencies demonstrated, both in 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 – primary education program can continue their studies in lower secondary education;

Graduates of the Second Chance – lower secondary education program can continue their studies in upper secondary education (the upper cycle of high school) or can undertake practical training stages, after which they can obtain a level 3 Professional Qualification Certificate.

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