The Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania has submitted a series of proposals to the Ministry of Education for the enhancement of the education system. These proposals have been formulated in the context of the national contest "Cuza: youth, law and reform", which was organised on the 166th anniversary of the Union of the Romanian Principalities. Participants, aged between 14 and 20, were invited to adopt the visionary perspective of Alexandru Ioan Cuza and propose initiatives for the modernisation of the Romanian education system. The proposals encompass pivotal reforms, including the continuous professional development of educators, the digitisation of educational institutions, the introduction of new curricular elements, the creation of a malleable curriculum aligned with the requirements of contemporary students, and the provision of support for children from disadvantaged communities. These proposals are indicative of the younger generation's vision for a contemporary and inclusive educational framework that aligns with the demands of modern society.
The ideas put forward cover a wide range of key issues for education reform:
- The proposal of the establishment of a National Institute for Teacher Development, in addition to the implementation of in-service training programmes with a focus on contemporary teaching methodologies and technological integration, was put forward by young people in the context of in-service training for teachers.
- Flexible curriculum and practical orientation: introduction of optional subjects and compulsory internships in partnership with companies and NGOs, as well as competency-based assessment and real projects instead of traditional tests.
- Inclusion and equity: the proposals include support programs for children from disadvantaged communities, the adaptation of materials for students with disabilities and free access to psychological counselling in all schools.
- Introducing new subjects: compulsory financial, political and civic education are seen as essential for developing critical and responsible thinking, alongside the integration of digital and STEM skills across all cycles of education.
- Modernizing infrastructure: setting up innovation centres in schools and providing modern IT infrastructure, especially in rural areas, to reduce inequalities.
These proposals are indicative of a novel educational vision that is aligned with international trends and the demands of the 21st-century labour market. The young participants in the competition demonstrated a clear understanding of the importance of digitisation, continuous teacher training and adapting the curriculum to current socio-economic realities.
The Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania has launched an initiative with the objective of emphasising the importance of involving young people directly in the decision-making process on education. It is suggested that the integration of their ideas into educational strategies could contribute to the creation of a modern, equitable education system adapted to the challenges of the future.
