Romania

1. EDUCATION IN ROMANIA

2. Education in Romania is based on a free-
tuition, egalitarian system. Access to free
education is guaranteed by Article 32 in
the Constitution of Romania. Education
is regulated and enforced by the Ministry
of National Education.

3. Kindergarten is optional under the age of six.
Compulsory schooling usually starts at age 6,
with the "preparatory school year", which is
mandatory in order to enter the first grade.
Schooling is compulsory until the tenth grade
(which corresponds with the age of sixteen or
seventeen). The school educational cycle ends in
the twelfth grade, when students graduate the
baccalaureate. Higher education is aligned onto
the European Higher Education Area.

4. Kindergartens offer preschool education
for children (usually between ages 3–6)
and are optional. Kindergarten typically
lasts for 3 forms – "small group" for
children aged 3–4, "middle group", for
children aged 4–5, and "big group“, for
children aged 5–6.

5. Elementary school includes primary school
(the preparatory school year and the next 4
grades of primary school) and then four
more grades (grades 5-8 of gymnasium).
Most elementary schools are public; the
Ministry of Education's statistics show less
than 2% of elementary school students
attend private school.

6. At the end of the 8th grade (usually corresponding to age
14 or 15) a nationwide test is taken by all students called
The National Test and can be taken only once, in June. The
subjects are Romanian Language and Literature and
Mathematics. Many high schools provide classes with
intensive study of a foreign language, such as English,
French, German or Spanish; a two-part examination
(Grammar/Vocabulary and Speaking) is required for them.
The passing mark is 5 for each of the exams.

7. The Romanian secondary education system includes:
National Colleges - the most prestigious high schools in
Romania;
Vocational Colleges - arts, military, pedagogical profiles;
Economic Colleges or Technical Colleges - high schools
with good results and with an academic program based
on technical education or services;
Standard High schools - An average high school,
providing one of the available academic programs.

8. In Romania, higher education is provided
by universities, institutes, study
academies, schools of higher education, and
other similar establishments, collectively
referred to as higher education institutions
(HEIs) or universities. These can be state-
owned or private.

9. Romania ranks 5th in the all-time medal count at the
International Mathematical Olympiad with 316 total
medals, dating back to 1959. Romania has achieved the
highest team score in the competition, after China and
Russia, and right after the United States and Hungary.
Romania also ranks 6th in the all-time medal count at
the International Olympiad in Informatics with 107 total
medals, dating back to 1989.

10. Thank you!