Government updates Education Code: We are thus meeting multiple requests from sector and parents

Today the government approved a draft amendment to the Education Code. Thanks to the updates, support for students with disabilities and children returning from the diaspora will increase, more young specialists will receive assistance, and students’ access to quality education will be improved.

“Updating the Education Code is necessary and comes in response to multiple requests from the sector and parents,” said Minister of Education Dan Perciun.

The amendments establish broader access to Romanian language learning programs for children returning from the diaspora and children of foreign citizens. “We are glad that we have families returning to the country and we need to adapt the system accordingly,” Perciun emphasized. In addition, support groups will be created for children with severe disabilities, formed of six students each, supported by two teachers. Support classes will also be organized in auxiliary schools, and students will be able to continue their studies for three more years after completing the 9th grade, in a special regime, within a pilot program.

Starting from 1 September 2026, grades will be reintroduced for exam subjects in the 4th grade. Over the past ten years, primary school teachers have used a system of descriptors (“excellent,” “very good,” etc.).

This supports young specialists: young people who choose to continue their careers in technical vocational education, as well as those who go to research institutes or work as lecturers in higher education will also receive assignment allowances.

The amendments to the Code regarding the consolidation of the school network will be made to overcome the huge disparities between students studying in small schools and those in large, well-equipped schools with modern laboratories and specialists in all subjects. Currently, nearly 91 schools have fewer than 50 students, and 247 have fewer than 90 students, which limits access to modern infrastructure and diverse educational activities. This measure will affect about 1,328 students, less than 0.5% of the more than 330,000 students, in 73 schools, of which 63 will be reorganized into another institutional format.

Primary schools will be maintained in local communities, parents will receive financial support of 1,000 lei per month for 2 years, students will be transported free of charge by school bus, and teachers will be supported through relocation allowances of up to 15,000 euros.

At the same time, starting from 1 January 2027, schools with more than 400 students will move to financial autonomy, so that the principal will manage the budget and plan procurements independently, without depending on local authorities. Currently, 939 schools already have financial autonomy, while another 172 schools are financially managed by the accounting departments of local authorities.

Another amendment concerns the introduction of clear criteria for terminating the open-ended employment contracts of deputy heads and the mandatory organization of public competitions for these positions. At present, almost 39% of deputy heads hold their positions for an unlimited term, and another 27% are acting in an interim capacity. At the same time, there are cases in which the interim period exceeds 10–15 years.

The amendments to the Education Code will enter into force after they are adopted by Parliament.