A new Education Law, which entered into force on September 2, brings significant changes to the education system in Romania, including in terms of extracurricular activities, which teachers carry out with students in the classroom. What other changes does the new school year have in store?
What teachers are no longer allowed to do outside of class
With the entry into force of the new Education law, teachers who offer meditation to their students may be subject to a disciplinary process. This decision aims to promote a fair school environment and avoid any form of discrimination or favoritism in education.
According to the law, no exact penalty is specified for teachers who violate this rule, but a specialized commission will be established to investigate allegations, if any. Anyone can report this type of misconduct, and the sanctions range from a warning to the disciplinary termination of the teacher’s individual employment contract.
The Education Law also emphasizes that the teacher “has the obligation of diligence to strive for the achievement of the necessary skills by each student, through classroom activity and remedial learning programs”.
What changes occur in schools from December
Another important provision of the new law is the establishment of a Register of declarations of interests in each school. This register will be created within three months of the entry into force of the law, i.e. from December 2023. The main purpose of this register is to enforce the provision that prohibits meditations given by teachers to students in the classes they teach.
These changes mark a significant step in the direction of ensuring transparency and compliance with ethical standards in education in Romania, placing particular emphasis on avoiding potential conflicts of interest and ensuring a fair and equitable learning environment for all students.
The new rules in the field of education represent an important step for strengthening the quality of education in Romania and for guaranteeing equal opportunities for all students.
Phones will be prohibited among students
Starting from September 2, 2023, the new rules regarding the use of mobile phones and other electronic communication equipment in schools in Romania entered into force, according to the recently adopted Education Law.
These rules are intended to bring more clarity about the prohibitions and ways to manage mobile phones in the school environment, given that more and more children are addicted to these devices.
According to the new provisions, the use of mobile phones during school hours remains prohibited for students in primary, middle and high school classes, just as before.
The novelty consists in the fact that teachers will be able to “take over” mobile phones and other electronic communication equipment, if students violate this rule.
Devices may later be returned to students’ parents or legal guardians in accordance with internal school regulations. However, it does not specify in detail when teachers can retrieve the devices or when they can be returned. However, students are allowed to use their phones for teaching purposes in designated areas.
