Romania 2026 Teacher Titularization Exam Shows STEM Shortage

The national teacher titularization competition for 2026 in Romania recorded that 51.04% of candidates scored above the required 7 points, qualifying them for permanent positions. In Vâlcea County, 256 applicants earned a permanent contract, 181 received substitute contracts and the remaining candidates will have to re‑apply next year. A total of 497 candidates sat the written test out of 666 registered, with 58 withdrawals and 109 absences.

Despite the overall pass rate, the results underscore a persistent acute shortage of teachers in exact‑science subjects. The entry salary of 3,770 lei net is considered too low compared with private‑sector offers of 4,500‑8,000 lei net for mathematics, physics and chemistry specialists. The OECD 2024 report flagged Romania among 18 nations with a severe STEM‑teacher deficit, estimating a national shortfall of roughly 3,800 teachers, with physics being the most critically affected discipline.