The Ministry of Education plans to introduce the general specialty curriculum for high schools with one 12th grade class. Thus, during the semester exams sessions and at Baccalaureate exams, students will have the freedom to choose whether to take the final exams in exact sciences or in humanities. This is provided in the draft framework plan for primary, secondary and high-school education, which was proposed for public discussion by the Ministry of Education and Research (MER), IPN reports.
In a press release, the Ministry says the educational offer of the framework plan for general education includes 6 hours for elective subjects, at least one of which must be selected from the list of optional subjects approved by the MER. The remaining hours can be allocated either for extended study of subjects included in the list of Baccalaureate exams or for subjects such as Universal Literature, Foreign Language II and Personal Development.
Classes with at least 25 students will be able to be split once to create balanced groups. The initiative was proposed because about one-third of the high schools have only one 12th grade class.
For arts and sports students, the new framework plan introduces a balanced study model. In year 10, all subjects will be studied equally, while in years 11 and 12, the focus will be on subjects essential for the Baccalaureate exam and specialty subjects.
Thus, arts and sports high schools will have 15 hours devoted to compulsory subjects (including Romanian language and literature, foreign language, mathematics and history) and 6 hours for elective subjects, selected from a list of 10 subjects.
For secondary schools with part-time attendance (4 years of study), the framework plan proposes an alternative model, which includes the study of 4 compulsory subjects: Romanian Language and Literature, Foreign Language, Romanian and Universal History and Information and Communication Technology, as well as 6 hours for elective subjects, selected by students from a list of 10 subjects.
The framework plan also includes the structure of the school year that will start on September 1, 2025 and end on May 29, 2026. It also sets vacation periods and the schedule of exam sessions for graduating students.
According to the MER, each educational institution will be able to approve its own model of the framework plan, following consultations with the administration board and the student council.
