National Bank Governor Mugur Isarescu blames the transition society for poor baccalaureate results

Newsroom 05/07/2011 | 16:58

Romanian high school graduates have registered the poorest results in 20 years at the baccalaureate exam, with several high schools in the country reaching a zero level of promotion. In total, a mere one in two high school graduates passed the baccalaureate exam this year and the average promotion rate was of 44.5 percent, which generated heated debate about the situation of the Romanian educational system. National Bank Governor Mugur Isarescu stated that the local political system is not the only one to blame for this situation, but the transition society, as well, for not providing the right kind of role models.

“Let’s not think that the promotion of the baccalaureate depends solely on the political class, because we would be making a basic error. Passing the baccalaureate depends on many things, on the models that the Romanian society has promoted,” stated Isarescu, emphasizing on the “mythomaniac” role models that have been brought forth by the local society.

Isarescu’s statement emerged during a conference held by PwC, at the release of “Success formulas for the next decade. Companies that have overcome the crisis”, written by PwC specialists. Company representatives stated at the event that the private system should also get involved in the Romanian educational system in order to insure a proper formation of local specialists. Isarescu agreed, adding that the true theme of discussion should be “how to make proper money”, when all that nowadays’ younger generations seem to know is “how to cheat by using the mobile phone.” This statement came as a result of the fact that an estimate 661 students have been thrown out of exam halls on account of cheating attempts.