Educated Romania: role models and "helping hands" from neighbors

The domestic education system has many drawbacks, this is visibly stronger from year to year. There are neighbors who want to offer, partially/regionally, helping hands. The Hungarian model of higher education and professional training must be ensured throughout the Carpathian Basin, including Transylvania, Balazs Hanko, the Hungarian Minister of Culture and Innovation, said in Cluj-Napoca, according to MTI. Any suggestion is welcome if it is beneficial to improve the system, but there are charts that clearly state which are the best models to follow. In the global ranking of the best education systems, made by CEO World, seven of the first ten places are occupied by European countries. The best educational systems in the world are: Great Britain, United States, Australia, Holland, Sweden, France, Denmark, Canada, Germany, Switzerland. Europe is home to some of the most advanced and respected education systems in the world. This underlines the exceptional performance of the education systems in this continent, which manage to combine academic tradition with pedagogical innovation.

• Great Britain: global leader

In the first place in the global ranking is the education system in Great Britain, recognized for its rigor and quality. Education is compulsory for children between the ages of 5 and 16, and state schools are free, ensuring access to quality education for all. In addition, school uniforms are mandatory, which helps to create a disciplined and egalitarian environment. A distinctive aspect of the British system is its interactive approach, which encourages active student participation during lessons. The UK also offers two educational models: that of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which focuses on a deepening of the subjects studied, and that of Scotland, which emphasizes a broader and more comprehensive education.

• The Netherlands, a paradise of educational innovation

The Netherlands, located in fourth place in the global ranking, stands out for a very efficient educational system, characterized by an almost perfect literacy level and a modern pedagogical approach. Education is compulsory from age 4-5 to 18, and teaching focuses on subjects, not subjects, which encourages critical thinking and collaboration between students. Another interesting aspect of the Dutch system, according to timeshighereducation.com, is that students can choose between four types of education after the age of 12, each with a different focus, from vocational education to preparatory science education.

• Sweden: focus on activity and creativity

Sweden's education system, ranked fifth, is known for its student-centered approach and relaxed and stimulating educational environment. Education is free and compulsory for children between the ages of 7 and 16. A strong point of this system is the freedom given to teachers in choosing the teaching method and the emphasis placed on the activity of students both in school and in social life. Grading in Sweden is done on a six-grade system, from A to F, and students have very little homework, which helps maintain a healthy balance between school and personal life.

• France, tradition and structure

France, with a well-structured and compulsory education system between the ages of 6 and 16, ranks sixth worldwide. The school year usually starts on September 1, and students are graded on a scale of 0 to 20. The French system places a strong emphasis on French and mathematics, while encouraging teamwork and individual responsibility. The lunch break in France is generous, giving students two hours to relax, which reflects the importance placed on a balance between study and rest.

• Denmark: education for happiness

Denmark, recognized for its innovative approach and for being home to some of the happiest students in the world, ranks seventh in the global ranking. Education is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 16, and the Danish system is notable for its flexibility and adaptability. Students can choose the difficulty level of the subjects studied and have the possibility to change their mind, which allows them to explore various areas without the pressure of irreparable mistakes.

• Germany, independence and deepening

In Germany, where education is free and compulsory from the age of 6 to 16, the education system places great emphasis on the independence of students and their harmonious development. Learning is structured in modules and the subject matter becomes increasingly complex as students progress through the years of study. This approach helps build a solid foundation of knowledge that students can build on in years to come.

• Switzerland: personalized education according to the canton

Switzerland ranks tenth in the global ranking, having a decentralized education system that varies from one canton to another. Depending on the region, students can learn in German, French, Italian or Romansh. Compulsory education lasts nine years, and the focus is on developing practical skills and identifying students' personal interests.

These top education systems in Europe stand out for their varied but effective approaches that combine tradition with innovation, thus ensuring quality education and personal development for students. Each system has its particularities that make it unique and adapted to the needs of the students and the respective society. This diversity in educational approaches reflects Europe's commitment to providing high-quality education capable of forming generations of citizens well-prepared for the challenges of the future.

• Proposals of the Hungarian minister

Last week, Minister Balazs Hanko participated in a round table entitled "Educational opportunities without borders - success on home soil and training in Hungary", organized in the Youth Court within the 15th edition of the Hungarian Cultural Days in Cluj -Napoca. The other two guests of the round table were Veronika Varga-Bajusz, secretary of state for higher education, and Ödön Szabo, deputy and vice-president of the Commission for Education in the Romanian Chamber of Deputies. The event organized by the "Jakabffy Elemer" Foundation was moderated by Petra Laszlo, president of the Association of Hungarian Students in Cluj-Napoca.

Balazs Hanko showed that there is also a need for qualified labor in Transylvania, and in order for the region to have a youth with a competitive Hungarian identity, the forms of education must be coupled with a scholarship system, and the existing ones must be consolidated: "Hungary they must offer young people from other countries only training that is not available in their country, so that young people are encouraged to return to their native land after finishing their studies, a scholarship system must be created to support this". In the minister's opinion, a scholarship system must also be developed for young Hungarians from Transylvania who study in Romanian in Bucharest, Brasov and Timisoara, to encourage them to return to their native area and capitalize on what they have learned for the benefit of their own community. He emphasized that both higher education and vocational training should have a direct result on the labor market, and universities, as economic engines of the respective areas, should guarantee their students to find a job after completing their studies. or training. This element of the model change is very important - he said - because "the success of young people is the success of the nation". Speaking about higher education in Romania, deputy Ödön Szabo, expert in educational policies of the UDMR, said that, in the last 30 years, the legal framework and the educational offer have expanded constantly. In addition, the new education law adopted last year applies "positive discrimination" to minority students, who are reserved special places and in universities where they cannot study in their mother tongue. In the opinion of the politician, in the next period, work must be done on the implementation of the provisions of the law, which in Romania "is never a short way to go". Among the challenges, he mentioned the fact that Romania ranks last in Europe in terms of the number of university graduates, with only 23%. One thing is clear when it comes to education, regional collaboration is very important for development.