Romania

Romania Introduces Vocational School-Leaving Exam

Marian Chiriac, Balkan Insight (September 10, 2012)

Romania’s Senate approved a plan to introduce vocational school-leaving exams that will allow students to qualify for vocational training instead of university studies. The Education Ministry proposed the plan in order to address a growing concern over poor results in graduation exams, which have declined steadily since officials raised standards and clamped down on cheating after 1990.

Just under half of all twelfth grade pupils passed their university entry qualification exams this year. In 2011 around 44 per cent of high school pupils failed the exam. Experts cite delays in education reform, inconsistent leadership, and under-funding, as factors that have led to the overall decline of education in Romania.

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