The “Second Chance” program is aimed at adolescents, young people, adults, coming 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 possibility 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 surpassed 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 schooling;
• were enrolled but dropped out of primary education – regardless of the moment and reasons for dropout;
• have not graduated from 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 moment and reasons for dropout.

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, but also to provide the necessary support to all those involved, through teacher training programs and educational materials for learners and teachers. Through this program, innovative elements have been introduced to the educational process, such as: modular curriculum and the credit system for basic education, assessment, certification and recognition of previously acquired competencies by learners, provision of individualized training programs.

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 provides a transparent offer of modules that students can follow in order to develop competencies, as a result of participating in cooperative learning activities, in real contexts and with tasks and themes that meet their interests and needs.

Learning will take place in small groups (8-15 students in each class). Courses can take place through various schedule options (afternoons or evenings during the week, Saturdays or during school holidays, etc.) depending on the possibilities of learners and teachers. Hours for individual consultations are planned and available to students.

The program has a flexible duration. The average schooling period (2 years for primary education, respectively 4 years for lower secondary education) can be reduced for each student individually, depending on competencies demonstrated, both in basic education and in professional training.

Graduates have the right to further their studies, according to 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 (the upper cycle of high school) or can go through practical training stages, after which they may also obtain a Level 3 Professional Qualification Certificate.

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