Romanian Education in Transition and Integration

Due to changes in ideology and policy, the Romanian education system is divided into three distinct periods: the period from modern times to 1944, the socialist education system from 1944 to 1989, and the great transition period after 1989. While the first period was characterized by the expansion of the public education system and progress in improving curriculum and teacher education programs, the second period was characterized by the nationalization of all educational institutions, extreme centralization through a unified basic curriculum and textbooks, excessive politicization, and an emphasis on abstract teaching methods. The period of socio-political and economic change in Romania after 1989 led to the reform of the education system, with pressures on the market economy and the restoration of democratic principles, pressures imposed by the Bologna Process. During the transition period, there were many changes in the curriculum, public and private educational institutions, retraining and mobility of teaching staff, and infrastructure. The responses of the Romanian education system to new variables and opportunities were partly immediate and partly gradual, depending on the interlocking circumstances and interests. The reform process, including new challenges and social risks during the transition period, was difficult, slow, and complex, influenced by economic, political, and social conditions. However, Romanian education during the integration transition period symbolized by the Bolona Process and EU membership became a stepping stone for successful reform. In this process of integrated transformation, Romanian education continues contemporary ongoing educational reforms by embracing a unified three-level degree program (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral programs), ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) & EQF (The European Qualifications Framework), as well as providing internationalization and mobility programs in higher education.