School leadership
2.1. Leadership standards and roles
2.2. Selection and working conditions
2.3. Leadership preparation and training
3. Teachers, parents and students
3.1. School management committees and boards
4.1. Autonomy of school leaders
4.2. Assessment and accountability of school leaders
4.3. Teacher assessment by school leaders
1. Terminology
LAW no. 198 of 4 July 2023 on Pre-University Education states that management positions at the level of the pre-university education unit/extracurricular education unit: director and deputy director. This term is occasionally translated as headmaster, headteacher, or principal. The law states that the director is the legal representative and authorizing officer of the educational unit, carrying out its executive management.
2. School principals
2.1. Leadership standards and roles
Competency standards and leadership frameworks and guidelines
Duties of the school director are briefly outlined in LAW no. 198 of 4 July 2023 on Pre-University Education and in the third title, ninth chapter of the 2024 Framework Regulation for the Organization and Functioning of Pre-University Education Units (hereinafter referred to as the 2024 Framework Regulations) which states, “the director exercises the executive management of the school, in accordance with the legislation on education in force, with the decisions of the administrative council of the school, as well as with the provisions of this Regulation.”
The director of the state education unit is the legal representative of the educational unit and carries out its executive management. The director is also considered the authorizing officer of the educational unit.
A set of Competencies for the Profile of School Directors and Deputy Directors can be found in the annex of the “Methodology regarding the organization and conduct of the competition for occupying the positions of director and deputy director in state pre-university education units” which was approved through the Order 4597/ 2021.
Roles
Setting expectations/objectives: The director prepares the regulations of the organization and coordinates the functioning of the educational unit (Article 21). According to the 2024 Framework Regulations, the school is expected to have an institutional development plan, an operational plan, a yearly management plan, and a program for the development of the management system. The institutional development plan is developed by a team coordinated by the school’s director. It is valid for three to five years and contains information such as the school’s resources; needs analysis; vision, mission, and strategic objectives of the unit; and various school activity plans. The yearly management plan is developed by the director and contains strategic objectives and directives. It is then approved by the teacher’s council and the administrative council. On a regular basis, the director must compile a report on the quality of education in the institution and present it to the parents’ committee, the local public administration authorities, and the school inspectorate. The director may draw up other forecast documents in order to optimize the management of the educational unit.
Developing teaching and learning: The director controls the quality of the instructive-educational process. According to the 2024 Framework Regulations, they ensure the implementation of the curriculum, curricula, and school evaluation methodology. Directors must always be informed about changes in the education system and can identify and organize the resources needed in the school. They initiate and generate activities for the school.
Promoting collaboration: LAW no. 198 of 4 July 2023 on Pre-University Education states that directors of pre-university institutions work with various self-governing organizations of the school such as the administrative council, the teachers’ council, the parents’ council, and the student association. The Competencies for the Profile of School Directors and Deputy Directors asks directors to be able to work with people; showing an interest in understanding others and being able to listen, consult with others, and communicate proactively.
Supporting staff development: The director, according to the 2024 Framework Regulations, has the responsibility to conduct periodic evaluations, and training, and encourage the motivation of the staff. They also monitor the continuous training activity of the staff and support beginning teachers and their integration into the school. Directors also build team spirit and support those they work with. They monitor team performance in relation to deadlines and planned results.
Acting in accordance with the ethical principles of the profession: All educational staff must follow the Code of Ethics for Pre-University Education. Some of the values and principles include: a) impartiality and objectivity; b) professional independence and freedom; c) moral, social and professional responsibility; g) respecting and promoting the best interest of the learner; i) respecting personal autonomy; and l) tolerance and the encouragement of diversity.
Others: School directors may benefit from partial or full relief of class teaching duties, in accordance with their job description and based on the methodological rules developed by the Ministry of Education.
2.2. Selection and working conditions
Degree requirements and prior teaching experience
In order to participate in the competition of director or deputy director, teachers must be tenured in pre-university education (having concluded an employment contract of an indefinite period); have seniority in pre-university education for at least 5 years; have received “very good” grades in the last two evaluations of completed school years in teaching or management positions. To be a teacher, one must have a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent certificate. Additionally, teachers must be a graduate of the psycho-pedagogical training program.
Appointment decision
School managers in Romania are selected through a competition coordinated by the Ministry of Education and organized through school inspectorates. According to the 2024 Framework Regulations, “the position of director in state educational institutions shall be filled, according to the law, by public competition, supported by tenured teachers.” The competition for the position of director is organized according to the methodology approved by Order No. 4.597/2021 of the Minister of National Education and Scientific Research. LAW no. 198 of 4 July 2023 on Pre-University Education also outlines the process in article 196. The interview committee, consists of one school inspector, two representative teachers of the school, a representative of the local council, and a representative of the human resources department. Representatives from the trade union, parents associations, and pupils associations, are invited to participate in all activities in the competition for the director position. Potential directors must go through a competency assessment and a written test. The written test assesses the capacities and competencies relevant to the educational management activity. This is followed by an interview which assesses the candidate’s strategic, operational and communication management skills (through their presentation of a strategy for the development of the target school); problem-solving skills (by reference to the context and specificity of the school); and digital skills (based on computer use). The organizing committee then calculates the final mark and the candidate who obtained the highest mark is declared successful. The final appointment is based on a decision of the general school inspector, in accordance with the decision of the board, and remains valid for 4 years.
The director of military, public order and national security schools is appointed in accordance with the legislation regulating the statuses of the staff of the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of the Interior or the Ministry of Justice.
The appointment of the director of theology schools and high schools is made following the endorsement by the cult concerned.
Directors of private schools are appointed by the management of the founding legal entity in compliance with competence criteria.
Employment equity measures
One of the main principles governing pre-university education, as written in LAW no. 198 of 4 July 2023 on Pre-University Education, is the principle of equity and equal opportunities, based on which access to learning is achieved without discrimination. The law states that in schools teaching in minority languages, one of the directors must be a teacher from those minorities, subject to professional competence criteria. The director also must know that language. In such cases, the appointment of the Director shall be made in consultation with the organisation representing that minority in the Romanian Parliament or, if the minority has no parliamentary representation, with consultation with the Parliamentary Group of National Minorities.
The 2002 Law on Equal Opportunities and Equal Treatment of Women and Men and 2018-2021 National Strategy for the Promotion of Equal Opportunity and Treatment between Women and Men additionally encourage the balanced representation of women and men at all decision-making levels in political, economic and public life.
Working conditions
Once a director has been selected for the position, the director prepares and signs an administrative-financial contract with the local mayor as well as an educational management contract with the general school inspector. In general, the director and the school’s administrative council have a checks and balances system whereby one must approve of the decision made by the other. For example, the director appoints teachers to middle leader positions based on the decision of the administrative council. Likewise, the administrative council approves the calendar of activities which the director proposes. According to Order No. 4.597/2021 and LAW no. 198 of 4 July 2023 on Pre-University Education, the appointment of the director is made by the Director General of the school inspectorate (DJIP/DMBIP) for four years. Following the selection by competition, the director submits to the approval of the board of directors of the educational unit and, subsequently, to the mayor, for approval. Individual employment contracts are, as a rule, for an indefinite period. However, in certain situations and conditions the individual employment contract may also be concluded for a fixed period.
LAW no. 198 of 4 July 2023 on Pre-University Education states that the salary and extra-salary incomes of directors and deputy directors are established by negotiation between the management of the financing legal entity and the person concerned, with the approval of the board of directors of the school unit. According to Framework Law no. 153/2017 on the Remuneration of Staff Paid from Public Funds, the basic salary for a director is from 7000 to 7382 lei (ROM). Additionally, directors may get a variable component, consisting of supplements, bonuses, and other additional salary rights. For instance, they may receive a 15% increase for heading schools with students with special educational needs and a 5-20% increase for heading schools in disadvantaged, remote, or high-cost areas.
2.3. Leadership preparation and training
Pre-service training
There is no pre-service training specifically targeting school leader candidates as any tenured candidate can participate in competitions for management positions. However, candidates must pass a test, which is designed to measure management skills. The field of Educational Management and School Legislation is also an area of teaching professional competencies which is covered during the continuous professional development of teachers. According to LAW no. 198 of 4 July 2023 on Pre-University Education, the National Center for Training and Development is responsible for the identification of training needs, development of the training curriculum, training of trainers and their correlation with the teacher evaluation system, with national strategies and policies and with the specific needs of educational communities. According to Article 194, the director and the deputy director of pre-university education have the obligation to follow a professional training program in the first year of each management mandate. The professional training program must be in the field of school management and is a criterion for evaluating its managerial activity.
Induction and in-service training
LAW no. 198 of 4 July 2023 on Pre-University Education states that continuing training is a right and an obligation for teaching, management, guidance and control staff. According to the law, the National Center for Training and Development is responsible for organizing and providing continuous training for management staff. Continuous professional development is provided to directors by the Ministry of Education and is achieved according to the development in the field of education and professional training. Directors are encouraged to take measures of self-evaluation and professional development. Training may be a) programs and activities for the improvement of scientific, psycho-pedagogical and pedagogical training; b) training programs in the fields of management, guidance and evaluation of education; c) training courses and taking the examinations for obtaining the didactic degrees II and I; d) professional conversion programs.
As part of the Code of Ethics, directors must have an interest and responsibility in relation to one's own professional training.
3. Teachers, parents and students
3.1. School management committees and boards
One of the main principles of education outlined in LAW no. 198 of 4 July 2023 on Pre-University Education is the principle of “basing decisions on social dialogue and consultation”. This implies collaboration, consultation, and transparent communication in the decision-making process between the relevant actors for public policies in the field of education: representatives of central and local public authorities, of the academic environment, beneficiaries, representative trade union organizations at the level of the collective bargaining sector pre-university education, civil society, economic environment, international organisations. In state educational institutions, the administrative council (consiliul de administrație) is defined by LAW no. 198 of 4 July 2023 on Pre-University Education as the deliberative governing body of educational units state pre-university. with 7, 9, or 13 members.
The Administrative Council is organized and operated according to the Framework Methodology for the organization and functioning of the Administrative Council of the educational units. A seven-member administrative council may consist of three teachers, including the headteacher; two parent representatives; the mayor or a representative of the mayor; and a representative of the local council. At the secondary level, boards may allocate a parent seat for a pupil’s representative who is at least eighteen years of age. Trade union representatives of nationally recognized teachers’ unions may participate in the meetings of the administrative council (with involvement at all decision-making levels in the education system), without voting rights. If issues concerning students are discussed, a representative of the students may take part in the meeting, also without voting rights. The framework explains that a new council is set up for each school year. Representatives of the teaching staff and students are elected; while representatives of the local council, mayor, parents, and local partners are appointed. The director of the school also serves as the chairman of the administrative council. LAW no. 198 of 4 July 2023 on Pre-University Education states that the council has the following main tasks: adopt the draft budget and approve the implementation of the budget at school level; approve the institutional development plan developed by the director; approve the curriculum at the proposal of the teachers' council; establish the position of the school in relations with third parties; approve the employment plan for staff; approve professional development programs for teachers, at the proposal of the teachers' council; sanction disciplinary, ethical or professional misconduct of teachers, according to the law; approve the competition committees and validates the result of the contests; approve the school's timetable; and assume public responsibility for the performance of the school, together with the director.
The teachers’ council comprises of all teaching staff of the school, regardless of their employment status, with the participation of teachers being compulsory. The council is chaired by the head of the school, and depending on the topics discussed during the meetings, the head may also invite representatives of parents, the students’ consultative council, or local public administration authorities.
3.2. Middle leaders
According to the 2024 Framework Regulations, teaching staff are organized into departments or methodical commissions. Each educational unit has middle leaders, notably, the heads of department (sprijinul şefilor de catedră) and heads of methodical commissions (responsabililor comisiilor metodice). There are also specialized positions such as secretarial, financial, and administrative. Department/methodical commission heads have the following responsibilities: organize and coordinate the entire activities of the department/commission; report, analyze, and propose performance plans and remedial plans; establish the attributions and responsibilities of each member; evaluate the activities of each member; assist in classes; propose the participation of certain members in select training courses; and prepare a biannual report on the department/commission's activities.
Additionally, there is a coordinator for school and extracurricular educational projects and programmes. This position is held by a tenured teacher, proposed by the teacher council and approved by the administrative council. The coordinator is responsible for coordinating the educational activity in the school; and initiates, organizes, and carries out extracurricular activities in the school with the support of the various school governing bodies. They prepare annual and semester plans of extracurricular activities, establish partnership programmes for said activities, and ensure ways of monitoring and evaluating of the activities.
Finally, each class has a class teacher, who is a tenured teacher appointed annually by the director based on the decision of the administrative council. The class teacher maintains communication with parents and guardians, supports the pupil’s collective, and organizes educational and counselling activities.
3.3. Parents
One of the key principles outlined in LAW no. 198 of 4 July 2023 on Pre-University Education is the “principle of participation and responsibility of parents/legal representatives. Title nine, of the 2024 Framework Regulations, discusses the different levels of parent groups which are to be established in the school. The General Assembly of Parents are set up at the study group/formation level. The assembly votes to appoint the members of the Parents’ Committee, who represent the parents of the group/class levels. At the level of each educational unit, the Parents’ Representative Council (also called the Parents’ Association) is established. The council is composed of all the presidents of the Parents’ Committees. The Parents' Representative Council has the following duties: propose school subjects and fields to be studied through the curriculum at the school; support educational partnerships between schools and educational institutions/organizations in the local community; support schools in carrying out programs to prevent and combat absenteeism and violence in schools; promotes the image of the school in the local community; deal with the preservation, promotion and knowledge of cultural traditions specific to minorities at local level, the development of multiculturalism and cultural dialogue; support the school in organizing and carrying out all activities; support the school management in organizing and conducting consultations with parents, guardians or legal supporters on educational topics; collaborate with public institutions and NGOs of specialized social/educational assistance in order to solve the situation of pupils in need of protection; support the school in the activity of counseling and socio-professional orientation or social integration of graduates; propose measures for the schooling of pupils in compulsory education and the employment of graduates; support the activities within the partnerships that take place in the school, at the request of teachers; support the school management in ensuring the health and safety of pupils; work to improve the quality of life of the activity in boarding schools and canteens; and support the school management in organizing and carrying out the "School after school" program.
The class parents’ committee represents the interests of parents in the general school parents’ assembly, council of parents’ representatives, and the teachers’ council.
Representatives of parents and guardians in the governing bodies and commissions of the school are nominated and appointed by the Parents’ Representative Council. This was also noted in the 2011 National Education Law.
3.4. Students
One of the main principles of education outlined in LAW no. 198 of 4 July 2023 on Pre-University Education is the principle of “respecting the right to opinion of the student... in the context of the educational act”. According to chapter six of the 2024 Student Statute (Order 5707/2024), students can associate in a student council (consiliul şcolar al elevilor) or the representative pupils’ associations (asociaţiile reprezentative ale elevilor). The representative pupils’ association, described in chapter seven, mainly functions on the national level with representative branches at the county, local, or school level. The student council is comprised of representatives who are elected from each class at the beginning of the first semester. The school student council operates based on its regulations, adapted to the specificity and needs of the school. The council has to represent students’ interests and convey them to the administrative council, the teachers' council, and the school director. They also defend pupils’ rights; learn and report on student problems; support communication between pupils and teachers; initiate extracurricular activities; support educational projects and programs; and debate draft regulations on the organization and functioning of the school. The council is further organized with an executive bureau comprised of the council president, vice-president, and secretary.
4. Governance
4.1. Autonomy of school leaders
According to LAW no. 198 of 4 July 2023 on Pre-University Education, the curriculum at the school consists of both optional disciplinary packages offered at national, regional and local level, as well as optional disciplinary packages offered at school level. The curricula for the subjects/fields of study are selected in consultation with the teachers' council, the pupils' advisory council, the associative structure of parents, as well as the representatives of the local community. It is then approved by the administrative council of the school. As the director has a very strong input during this process as they chair the teachers’ council and the administrative council. The director may also issue the decision to establish a Curriculum Commission, which aims at activities related to the process of designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the curriculum, at the level of the educational unit.
The decisions regarding the hiring, motivation, evaluation, reward, disciplinary responsibility and dismissal of the teaching staff are taken by the administrative board, with the vote of 2/3 of all members. The school's director issues the decisions according to the administrative council's decisions. The law also states that the director is responsible for drafting the budget, which is then approved by the administrative council. The director must report on the implementation of the budget to the council. Additionally, the director is responsible for the selection, employment, periodic evaluation, training, motivation and termination of employment of staff in the educational establishment.
4.2. Assessment and accountability of school leaders
The fulfillment of the objectives of the educational unit regarding the assurance of quality and equity in education is a criterion in the managerial evaluation. According to the LAW no. 198 of 4 July 2023 on Pre-University Education, the annual evaluation of directors and deputy directors of pre-university education is carried out by the local public authority and School Inspectors (DJIP/DMBIP), according to a methodology developed by the Ministry of Education and Research. The evaluation is similar to the evaluation applied to teachers, except that it focuses on managerial duties set out in the job description.
4.3. Teacher assessment by school leaders
The director is responsible for the periodic evaluation of staff members, in accordance with the 2011 Ministerial Order on the methodology for the annual evaluation of the activity of the teaching and auxiliary teaching staff (as amended in 2021).
This profile was reviewed by national expert Tatiana Tutunaru and Cristina Macé, European Affairs Advisor.
