BUILDING A RELEVANT CURRICULUM: A ROMANIAN PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The paper aims at re-creating the recent developments in the Romanian education system in primary and secondary levels and discuss the main conditions for building a relevant curriculum, adapted to the specific challenges of the 21st century. This Romanian perspective on current curriculum reform processes mirrors the changes entailed by moving from a knowledge-based to a competency-based curriculum in a process that started in 2011. The analysis uses the reports of wide consultation processes initiated in this area under the co-ordination of the Institute of Education Sciences, as well as on various curricular documents (framework, syllabi and policy documents) and on other relevant resources. The article identifies various conditions at system level, the most important concerning the foundation of a systemic vision, ensuring continuity across different policy mandates, defining a comprehensive view of quality and ensure a continuous focus on inclusiveness. An in-depth research, in a comparative education perspective, could validate these findings and document their importance for other education systems.

Keywords

• national curriculum
• Romanian education system
• competences
• competence-based curriculum
• education policies