Ministry of Education: new curricular framework, "vision document”

The interim Minister of Education, Mihai Dimian, explained that the new National Curriculum Reference Framework for pre-university education, recently published in the Official Gazette, is "a vision document, not an implementation document”. His central message, also transmitted on social networks, aims to change the way students are evaluated: "Let's no longer have grades of 5 for students who do not have the minimum knowledge and skills necessary to obtain a grade of 5”.

• What changes does the new curricular framework propose

The document presented by the minister outlines a series of directions considered fundamental for education reform. Learning standards are clearer and more unified. The new framework defines learning standards as a benchmark for teaching activities and student assessment. These should reduce the differences in grades between teachers and the discrepancies between annual averages and results from national assessments. They could also allow, in the future, the inclusion of annual averages in the admission process to higher education, along with other criteria.

• Focus on competences and collaboration between teachers

Another principle is to orient the system towards competences, not just towards the accumulation of information. The emphasis is placed on the application of knowledge, critical thinking and solving real problems. The minister emphasizes that this should stimulate collaboration between teachers and adapt teaching to the real needs of students.

• More coherent educational management

The document proposes to orient central and local educational management towards supporting the implementation of the curriculum through counseling and developing the institutional capacity of schools. The new framework aims to provide coherence to the entire educational path, from early childhood education to the end of high school, based on a common set of values, principles and educational objectives. The minister insisted that the document does not immediately change the rules in schools, but outlines a general direction: "It is a vision document, not an implementation document,” he said. In his opinion, the success of the reform depends on how teachers will adapt teaching and assessment: less rote memorization and more application, critical thinking and creativity. At the same time, he stressed the joint role of teachers, students and parents in respecting future assessment standards, including in terms of awarding minimum grades.