Possible Orientations of the European Dimension in Romanian Educational Policy

Abstract

Curricular reform in any educational system should be to balance national, European or international elements and should integrate diversity. European education calls for a democratic citizenship education that includes a political, cultural, social and economic education – an overall European dimension, which implies an awareness of the drive and diversity of European culture and to learn to live in a European context. This type of education is characteristic of a special category of strategies – namely, partnership strategies. Other educational strategies that are supported to achieve the European dimension may be based on the ability to adapt to a particular context, the transfer of knowledge and experience, participation, and the ability to anticipate and to innovate. The author reviews evidence (the curriculum, syllabi, textbooks, etc.), the intended curriculum and implemented and effective strategies in order to highlight the Romanian education policy to implement and achieve the European dimension in the Romanian curriculum. Obviously, the role of education is very important in the transmission and cultivation of values that determine, in turn, the behaviours, attitudes and specific reactions of responsible citizens, for Europe needs such people. Romanians, who have a sense of social responsibility, but in a latent form, should leave, on the one hand, the old values, which discourage initiative and free expression of opinions and effective involvement, and, on the other, learn to become responsible, to engage socially and to implement those values that are identified with the psycho-moral characteristics of the Romanians themselves: altruism, tolerance, innovation, honesty and fairness.