Romanian Education Reforms Spark Exam Dismissal Over RO‑ALERT and Debate on Standardized Grading

A student in Hunedoara County was expelled from the Romanian Baccalaureate after his mobile phone rang due to a RO‑ALERT storm warning. The incident, confirmed by school inspector Maria Ștefănie, highlighted the strict prohibition of electronic devices during exams and raised questions about how emergency‑alert systems intersect with educational regulations.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has launched a public consultation on a proposal to replace current grading practices with standardized tests nationwide. Teachers such as Georgiana Măniloiu and Ionela Neagu voiced strong criticism, warning that a uniform test could ignore regional differences, undermine teacher autonomy, and benefit private testing firms. The debate reflects broader concerns about centralising assessment and the potential impact on students across Romania.