Education may become obligatory up to the age of 18, while school managers will be able to hold only two consecutive terms in office. English may become a mandatory subject in the program of studies. These are several new elements of the Draft Education Code that was proposed for public debates, IPN reports.

Minister of Education Maia Sandu said the move is aimed at preventing the students who finish the secondary school from leaving the education system. This figure now stands at 13%. The project may be implemented from 2018. As to school managers, the minister said that 30% of the principals are named to this post for life, without holding a contest.

Deputy Minister Liliana Nicolaescu Onofrei said a new chapter refers to inclusive education. It will be implemented both in general education and in special education. In primary education, the performance of students may be assessed by descriptors, instead of grades, while the assessment of teachers may become an annual procedure.

Deputy Minister Igor Grosu said the financing of education will continue per student. There will be compensatory financing for children with special needs and for talented students and those with special merits.

The draft Education Code envisions the creation of new assessment and quality assurance bodies at different levels. There will be set up the National School Inspectorate and the National Quality Assurance Agency in vocational education.

The draft Education Code was published on www.particip.gov.md . Everyone can leave comments over it.