Education in Romania: A Decade of Change.

Overview & Synopsis

This second study of Romanian education reports important reforms that have strengthened the educational system and, moreover, provides a picture of the system at all education levels as of the 1969-70 academic year. Since Communist acquisition of power late in 1947, three major educational reforms have reflected a progressive nationalistic educational trend. The first, in 1947, aligned Romania's Western-oriented educational system with that of the Soviet Union; the second, in 1955, called for reorganization of the schools along polytechnical lines. Revealing a bolder posture toward national independence and also reflecting political aspirations and educational objectives of the regime, the third reform in the 1960's was designed to further Romania's long-range plans for industrialization and technical development and fostered change in general education, higher education, teacher education, and the vocational system. Among the achievements of this latter reform were: 1) the revitalization and modernization of higher education, and alignment of Romania's higher education with the modernization process occurring in the west; 2) extension from 8 to 10 years of free and compulsory education; 3) a rise of enrollment at all levels; and, 4) reorganization of vocational education. (SJM)