In Romania, children are reportedly paid by the government to attend secondary school, with payments said to start from about $50 monthly and rise as high as $250 for some children with conditions such as ADHD who wear glasses.
Nigerian social commentator Daddy Freeze made the claim while comparing the reported support with Nigeria’s minimum wage for workers.
But beyond the viral claim, what is education actually like in Romania?
According to The Borgen Project, Romania’s education system has undergone major changes since the end of communist rule in 1990. Here are five simple things to know about education in the country.
1. Children can start kindergarten at age three
In Romania, children can legally begin kindergarten as early as three years old.
According to The Borgen Project, children can remain in kindergarten until they are six or seven, but they must complete at least one year of kindergarten before moving on to elementary school.
2. Test scores can determine which high school students attend
Getting into high school in Romania is closely linked to academic performance.
The Borgen Project reports that the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research conducts nationwide examinations, with students’ scores helping determine the high schools they can attend.
Some private schools may also have additional admission requirements.
3. Students choose a field of study in high school
Romanian students do not all follow exactly the same type of high school education.
According to The Borgen Project, students around the eighth grade can choose from different areas of study, including arts, science, military, economics and professional education.
This means students can begin focusing on areas that match their interests and future career plans.
4. High school students study many subjects
Students in Romanian high schools can take between 12 and 14 subjects at the same time.
The Borgen Project notes that these subjects can include areas such as geography and Romanian literature. Students are also expected to learn at least two additional languages besides Romanian.
English, French, Spanish, German and Italian are among the languages commonly taught.
5. More Girls Enrol in Secondary School
The Borgen Project noted that girls had a slightly higher secondary school enrolment rate than boys in Romania. In 2012, about 83% of girls were enrolled in secondary education, compared with 81% of boys.
This shows that female participation in secondary education was slightly higher than male participation at the time.
However, the report also notes that challenges remain, particularly for people living in rural communities who may not have access to quality education.
Romania’s education system, therefore, is not without its problems. But its approach to early education, high school choices, language learning and literacy offers an interesting look at how education works beyond Nigeria.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.