Due to the
\ncrisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic, on March 11th Romanian
\neducation moved online. It was an emergency solution, which has worked out for
\nsome, but has been a failure for many others, given that not all children have
\ntablets and internet access. Not to mention that some don’t even have access to
\nelectricity. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Faced with an unprecedented situation, in a first stage, Bucharest
\nauthorities decided to suspend classes, for a limited period of time. Then,
\nthey extended the measure, online classes turned from ‘recommended’ to ‘mandatory’
\nand then a final decision was made, namely that regular schooling was not to be
\nresumed this spring, except for 8th and 12th graders, who
\nwould go back to school for two weeks, in order to prepare for their final
\nexaminations.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
The opposition
\nSocial Democratic Party and PRO Romania have termed the situation as
\nunacceptable and have filed a simple no-confidence motion against the Education
\nMinister Monica Anisie. The confusing and contradictory statements about the
\nway in which national evaluation exams, the baccalaureate and the tenure exams
\nare to be held have created panic among students and teachers, and the decision
\nregarding online classes are evidence of the education minister’s irresponsibility’,
\nreads the motion, signed by 93 deputies. They are calling for the resignation
\nof Monica Anisie, whom they accuse of lack of vision and strategy against the
\nbackground of the current health crisis. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
The text of
\nthe motion was read in plenary Chamber of Deputies session by Mihaela Hunca,
\nrepresenting the PRO Romania party:<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
What
\nabout the hundreds of thousands of pupils who do not have tablets, laptops and
\naccess to the internet? What about those who cannot afford such costs? What is
\nOrban Government’s strategy? Here is the answer: total carelessness.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
The decisions made were in line with
\nthe epidemiological situation and starting from the reality of Romanian education,
\nwhich was not ready for getting online right away, replied the education
\nminister. Monica Anisie has rejected all accusations, claiming that the current
\nsituation of the Romanian education system is the effect of the measures taken
\nby the previous Social Democratic governments, whom she accused of having chronically
\nunder-financed the system. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Education Minister Monica Anisie:<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
What happened to the
\nprojects drawn up as early as 2011 for the national education law? What should
\nI understand from this? That you indirectly admit you are blaming me for your
\nown ignorance in the past? Devices will be purchased for the 250 thousand children
\nfrom disadvantaged environments.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
The vote on this third simple motion
\nfiled against a minister of the Orban Cabinet is to be cast on Wednesday. Beyond
\nany political dispute, the direction for the examination of pupils in the final
\nyears is clear though. The baccalaureate calendar has been approved and the
\noral examinations have been eliminated. Also, the calendar of examinations for admission
\nto high-school in the 2020-2021 school year has been established and approved. (M.Ignatescu)<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A permanent bone of contention between the power and the opposition in the past 30 years, Romanian education is now again in the spotlight<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":108,"featured_media":85905,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[37738],"tags":[35374,28904,39980],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-85904","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-today-in-the-news","tag-covid-19","tag-education","tag-education-minister-monica-anisie"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n