September 10, 2023 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 10.09.2023, 18:09

School. Almost 3
million pupils and pre-school children will begin school on Monday in Romania.
The new school year is made up of five modules and will end on 22nd
June next year. Classes will end on 7th June for 12th
year pupils and on 14th June for 8th year pupils to be
able to take their baccalaureate and national evaluation exams, respectively. As
a result of recent changes to education laws, pupils can only be expelled under
serious circumstances. Another change refers to the introduction of new
subjects: the study of the history of the Jewish people and the Holocaust,
which will be taught in 11th grade beginning this year, and the
study of the history of communism, which will taught as of next year. The
criteria for granting scholarships have also changed, with fewer pupils to
benefit. The authorities are also considering measures to prevent and reduce
drug use in schools, with emphasis on information and education.

Drone. The Romanian foreign ministry
summoned the Russian charge d’affaires in Bucharest
to convey the protest of the Romanian side over the violation of
Romania’s air space, as new drone fragments were found on Saturday on Romanian
soil, close to the border with Ukraine, and similar to those used by the
Russian army. State secretary Iulian Fota firmly called on the Russian side to
cease attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, including those that could pose any
threat to the safety and security of Romanian citizens living in the region. On
Saturday, president Klaus Iohannis said the identification of new drone fragments on the
Romanian territory indicates that an absolutely unacceptable violation has
taken place of the sovereign air space of NATO member Romania. NATO secretary
general Jens Stoltenberg, who had a phone conversation with Iohannis,
expressed full solidarity with Romania.
He also said there was no indication of Russia’s intent to strike NATO, but
that these attacks are destabilising.

Poll. One in two
teachers in Romania does not believe the government will implement the salary
increases promised after teachers’ strike three months ago, and almost a third
say their financial situation is precarious or modest, according to a World
Vision Romania poll conducted at the end of August. 31% of teachers say the
state of school buildings is only relatively optimal or sub-optimal when it
comes to repairs, utilities and hygiene. Despite this, 70% of teachers say they
begin the school year with a high level of motivation.

Earthquake.
Morocco declared three days of national mourning for the victims of the
powerful quake that hit this country on Friday night. The leaders of
the 27 EU member states together signed a joint letter to King Mohammed VI of
Morocco stating their full solidarity with the Moroccan people: as close
friends and partners of Morocco, we are ready to assist in any way You may seem
useful, the letter said. The foreign ministry in Bucharest said that according
to the information available so far to the Romanian embassy in Rabat, there are
no Romanian citizens among the victims. The embassy is in constant contact with
the local authorities in charge of managing the consequences of the quake and
with the Romanian citizens living in Morocco.

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Sports. Romania
won the gold medal in the women’s eight at the World Rowing Championships in
Belgrade on Sunday, the crew also qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games next
year. Romania won a total of
five medals in Belgrade: two gold, in the women’s eight and women’s double
sculls, one silver, in the women’s four, and two
bronze, in the women’s pair and the women’s lightweight double sculls. Also, 11
Romanian crews, both women’s and men’s, qualified for the Paris Games. In other
sports news, from handball, Rapid Bucharest on Sunday lost their
first match in Group B of the women’s Champions League, against Team Esbjerg of
Denmark. 30-28. away. In the same competition, on Saturday, CSM Bucharest defeated the
Danish side Odense Handbold in Group
A. (CM)