Radio România Internațional

Tag: Education Minister Monica Anisie

  • A new school year in Romania

    A new school year in Romania

    A new school
    year has started in Romania, this year observing special health safety measures
    generated by the coronacrisis. Shifting to online classes this spring was a
    temporary solution, allowing for a continuation of the school year. Everyone
    understood, at the time, that the system is not a long-term solution. The
    authorities had months at their disposal to come up with an optimal one, adapted
    to the epidemiological context. This resulted in three scenarios. Each
    schooling unit could opt for one scenario, red, yellow or green, depending on
    the extent it has been affected by the pandemic. Accordingly, over 12,000
    schools have opened their gates in the green scenario, where school and
    pre-school children must observe full daily attendance in class. In some 5,000
    schools the yellow scenario has taken effect, which means pupils in the
    elementary cycle and in the eighth grade will come to school, while pupils in the
    secondary and high-school cycles will attend classes on a rotation basis. The
    red-code scenario has been introduced in some 250 schools, where classes will
    be held exclusively online. Special measures have been taken in nursery schools
    as well, so that pre-school children should be kept safe. The start of the new
    school year will be ridden with challenges, pupils, teachers and parents have
    agreed. In a message conveyed on this occasion, President Klaus Iohannis
    expressed hope everyone would successfully overcome this difficult period:


    Until we
    overcome this virus that has changed everyone’s lives, you will have to observe
    special measures in schools, designed to safeguard your health and that of your
    loved ones. Each of you will have to opportunity to be a superhero, if you wash
    your hands, wear masks and follow the directions of the teaching staff. This is
    how you can protect your parents and grandparents, the latter being the most
    exposed to the risk of getting sick. Dear teachers, we are all in uncharted
    territory here, which is why the task ahead requires patience, flexibility and
    energy. You need to tap into your inner resources and often adapt to unforeseen
    situations. I am confident you will succeed in guiding our children in their
    quest for knowledge, whether it will be in classrooms or online. I wish you all
    the best for the school year ahead and I’m grateful for your contribution.


    In turn,
    Education Minister Monica Anisie said that, depending on local developments,
    the three scenarios might undergo changes. The Education Minister claims there
    are currently no known issues pertaining to children’s access to electronic
    devices or to the Internet.


    (Translated by
    V. Palcu)

  • A new school year in Romania

    A new school year in Romania

    A new school
    year has started in Romania, this year observing special health safety measures
    generated by the coronacrisis. Shifting to online classes this spring was a
    temporary solution, allowing for a continuation of the school year. Everyone
    understood, at the time, that the system is not a long-term solution. The
    authorities had months at their disposal to come up with an optimal one, adapted
    to the epidemiological context. This resulted in three scenarios. Each
    schooling unit could opt for one scenario, red, yellow or green, depending on
    the extent it has been affected by the pandemic. Accordingly, over 12,000
    schools have opened their gates in the green scenario, where school and
    pre-school children must observe full daily attendance in class. In some 5,000
    schools the yellow scenario has taken effect, which means pupils in the
    elementary cycle and in the eighth grade will come to school, while pupils in the
    secondary and high-school cycles will attend classes on a rotation basis. The
    red-code scenario has been introduced in some 250 schools, where classes will
    be held exclusively online. Special measures have been taken in nursery schools
    as well, so that pre-school children should be kept safe. The start of the new
    school year will be ridden with challenges, pupils, teachers and parents have
    agreed. In a message conveyed on this occasion, President Klaus Iohannis
    expressed hope everyone would successfully overcome this difficult period:


    Until we
    overcome this virus that has changed everyone’s lives, you will have to observe
    special measures in schools, designed to safeguard your health and that of your
    loved ones. Each of you will have to opportunity to be a superhero, if you wash
    your hands, wear masks and follow the directions of the teaching staff. This is
    how you can protect your parents and grandparents, the latter being the most
    exposed to the risk of getting sick. Dear teachers, we are all in uncharted
    territory here, which is why the task ahead requires patience, flexibility and
    energy. You need to tap into your inner resources and often adapt to unforeseen
    situations. I am confident you will succeed in guiding our children in their
    quest for knowledge, whether it will be in classrooms or online. I wish you all
    the best for the school year ahead and I’m grateful for your contribution.


    In turn,
    Education Minister Monica Anisie said that, depending on local developments,
    the three scenarios might undergo changes. The Education Minister claims there
    are currently no known issues pertaining to children’s access to electronic
    devices or to the Internet.


    (Translated by
    V. Palcu)

  • Scenarios for the new school year

    Scenarios for the new school year

    Classes switched
    to online this spring against the backdrop of the coronacrisis. On September 14
    a new school year is about to start. The date is certain, and so if the fact
    that schooling units can opt for one of the three scenarios to organize
    classes. Depending on the evaluation of the National Institute for Public
    Health, schools can choose to call all pupils to school, keep half of them home
    and do the classes online and call half to class to keep everyone at home and
    do classes online. Health Minister Nelu Tataru:


    On September 7,
    the National Institute for Public Health will make public its epidemiological
    assessment for each administrative unit. Right now we have a total of 3.181
    units. Each of these units will be assessed, and the opening of the school year
    will take into account the results. On September 10, the boards of schooling
    units will have to submit the scenario they have opted for to the committees
    for emergency situations for each county and the capital city Bucharest, to
    directorates of public health and schools inspectorates in each county and in
    the capital city Bucharest.


    The Health
    minister said medical staff will perform a triage of pupils upon entry, and
    face masks will be compulsory for teachers and pupils alike. In turn, Education
    Minister Monica Anisie explained the methodology on organizing the activity of
    schooling units for each type of system has been set in place. The Education
    Ministry has also prepared a number of ways to interact with pupils, parents
    and teachers, namely the educaţiacontinuă.edu.ro website and a number of
    telephone lines. Monica Anisie:


    I’ve decided to
    set up a free-of-charge telephone line at the Education Ministry, where parents
    and pupils can call to ask questions. Directors of schooling units and local
    authorities who want to access European funds can call another telephone line
    for support.


    Minister Monica
    Anisie went on to say that each teacher will have to organize his curricula to
    prevent learning gaps at class level. The two ministries have made public a
    joint decree providing for health safety measures to be introduced in schools.
    Physical entry in schools will be spaced-out, using several access points, at
    intervals depending on areas and buildings. Movement inside the building will
    also observe pre-determined routes, while observing the minimum 1-meter
    distance between pupils. The pupils’ health will be assessed during the first
    class.


    (Translated by
    V. Palcu)

  • Scenarios for the new school year

    Scenarios for the new school year

    Classes switched
    to online this spring against the backdrop of the coronacrisis. On September 14
    a new school year is about to start. The date is certain, and so if the fact
    that schooling units can opt for one of the three scenarios to organize
    classes. Depending on the evaluation of the National Institute for Public
    Health, schools can choose to call all pupils to school, keep half of them home
    and do the classes online and call half to class to keep everyone at home and
    do classes online. Health Minister Nelu Tataru:


    On September 7,
    the National Institute for Public Health will make public its epidemiological
    assessment for each administrative unit. Right now we have a total of 3.181
    units. Each of these units will be assessed, and the opening of the school year
    will take into account the results. On September 10, the boards of schooling
    units will have to submit the scenario they have opted for to the committees
    for emergency situations for each county and the capital city Bucharest, to
    directorates of public health and schools inspectorates in each county and in
    the capital city Bucharest.


    The Health
    minister said medical staff will perform a triage of pupils upon entry, and
    face masks will be compulsory for teachers and pupils alike. In turn, Education
    Minister Monica Anisie explained the methodology on organizing the activity of
    schooling units for each type of system has been set in place. The Education
    Ministry has also prepared a number of ways to interact with pupils, parents
    and teachers, namely the educaţiacontinuă.edu.ro website and a number of
    telephone lines. Monica Anisie:


    I’ve decided to
    set up a free-of-charge telephone line at the Education Ministry, where parents
    and pupils can call to ask questions. Directors of schooling units and local
    authorities who want to access European funds can call another telephone line
    for support.


    Minister Monica
    Anisie went on to say that each teacher will have to organize his curricula to
    prevent learning gaps at class level. The two ministries have made public a
    joint decree providing for health safety measures to be introduced in schools.
    Physical entry in schools will be spaced-out, using several access points, at
    intervals depending on areas and buildings. Movement inside the building will
    also observe pre-determined routes, while observing the minimum 1-meter
    distance between pupils. The pupils’ health will be assessed during the first
    class.


    (Translated by
    V. Palcu)

  • Dispute over Romanian Education

    Dispute over Romanian Education

    Due to the
    crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic, on March 11th Romanian
    education moved online. It was an emergency solution, which has worked out for
    some, but has been a failure for many others, given that not all children have
    tablets and internet access. Not to mention that some don’t even have access to
    electricity.

    Faced with an unprecedented situation, in a first stage, Bucharest
    authorities decided to suspend classes, for a limited period of time. Then,
    they extended the measure, online classes turned from ‘recommended’ to ‘mandatory’
    and then a final decision was made, namely that regular schooling was not to be
    resumed this spring, except for 8th and 12th graders, who
    would go back to school for two weeks, in order to prepare for their final
    examinations.


    The opposition
    Social Democratic Party and PRO Romania have termed the situation as
    unacceptable and have filed a simple no-confidence motion against the Education
    Minister Monica Anisie. The confusing and contradictory statements about the
    way in which national evaluation exams, the baccalaureate and the tenure exams
    are to be held have created panic among students and teachers, and the decision
    regarding online classes are evidence of the education minister’s irresponsibility’,
    reads the motion, signed by 93 deputies. They are calling for the resignation
    of Monica Anisie, whom they accuse of lack of vision and strategy against the
    background of the current health crisis.


    The text of
    the motion was read in plenary Chamber of Deputies session by Mihaela Hunca,
    representing the PRO Romania party:


    What
    about the hundreds of thousands of pupils who do not have tablets, laptops and
    access to the internet? What about those who cannot afford such costs? What is
    Orban Government’s strategy? Here is the answer: total carelessness.


    The decisions made were in line with
    the epidemiological situation and starting from the reality of Romanian education,
    which was not ready for getting online right away, replied the education
    minister. Monica Anisie has rejected all accusations, claiming that the current
    situation of the Romanian education system is the effect of the measures taken
    by the previous Social Democratic governments, whom she accused of having chronically
    under-financed the system.

    Education Minister Monica Anisie:


    What happened to the
    projects drawn up as early as 2011 for the national education law? What should
    I understand from this? That you indirectly admit you are blaming me for your
    own ignorance in the past? Devices will be purchased for the 250 thousand children
    from disadvantaged environments.


    The vote on this third simple motion
    filed against a minister of the Orban Cabinet is to be cast on Wednesday. Beyond
    any political dispute, the direction for the examination of pupils in the final
    years is clear though. The baccalaureate calendar has been approved and the
    oral examinations have been eliminated. Also, the calendar of examinations for admission
    to high-school in the 2020-2021 school year has been established and approved. (M.Ignatescu)