Minister of Education: ”Crises Approached Correctly, They Are Opportunities for Progress”

The Minister of Education and Research, Daniel David, warns that the year 2025 is marked by political, economic and international crises unprecedented since the 1989 Revolution. At the same time, he claims that the fiscal-budgetary measures adopted by the Government have saved the education system from an imminent blockage. "There have been difficult years for the country - both economically and politically - but in 2025, the internal political and economic crises are strongly combined, against the backdrop of a war on the border and international crises related to the re-establishment of the architecture of the world order," the minister wrote on his blog, on the occasion of the start of the new 2025-2026 academic year. Daniel David believes that 2025 is "probably the most difficult and dangerous year for the country since the 1989 Revolution,” but emphasizes that, "when approached correctly, crises are also opportunities for progress.”

• Fiscal measures that prevented the blockage in education

The Minister of Education states that, thanks to fiscal-budgetary policies, the education system has avoided financial collapse. "Approximately 400 million lei were saved from the budget allocated at the beginning of the year, money that will remain in the system, and the 2 billion lei previously estimated need not be requested. The total financial impact for 2026 will be over 2.8 billion lei,” he explained. David acknowledges, however, that these measures have "shaken the country” and reduced the momentum of reforms, but have allowed education and research to remain functional.

• Challenges of the 2025-2026 school year

Regarding the organization of the school year, Daniel David presented some key data: 3% of classes exceeded the maximum limit of students; 1% of classes reached the maximum allowed exception; Simultaneous education increased from 6% to 7.5%, but will be supported for the first time by a special methodology, inspired by models in France and Ireland;

In order to reduce the pressure on teachers, the provision is maintained whereby the maximum limit of students decreases by 3 for each child with special educational needs (CES).

• Developments in human resources

The minister's report indicates an increase in the number of qualified teachers and the interaction time between them and students, as well as a decrease in unqualified staff. "In general, the number of teachers with a single employment contract has increased slightly, significantly reducing hourly wage expenses," added Daniel David.

• The political and personal dimension of the mandate

Daniel David, in his second term as minister, admits that he accepted the position "with doubts”, considering that he had already fulfilled his commitments to the country. He also mentions his involvement in maintaining Romania's Euro-Atlantic trajectory and the fact that, during the political crisis, he did not refuse to be included on short lists for key positions, including that of president or interim prime minister.