Sorin Costreie appointed as Romania's Minister of Education and Research

Sorin Costreie has been appointed as the Minister of Education and Research following the investiture of the Luca Niculescu government. Costreie, a professor at the University of Bucharest, aims to shift the educational focus from rote memorization and standardization toward reflective, inclusive, and relevant learning that fosters critical thinking.

Key priorities include increasing investment in early childhood education, particularly in rural areas, and implementing consistent training programs for teachers. He also intends to professionalize school management and introduce more flexible curricula to meet individual student needs. Regarding research, Costreie highlighted the importance of competitive funding for artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and semiconductors.

Under the new government structure, the ministry will be led by two officials: Costreie as the Minister of Education and Research, and Sorin Gabriel Ionescu as the delegated minister for pre-university education. Costreie explained that this dual leadership aims to bridge the historical tension and lack of trust between the university and pre-university educational sectors, ensuring both systems are adequately represented.