President Nicușor Dan urges critical thinking and fair teacher pay as Romanian school year begins

Critical thinking in the digital era

On 7 September, Romanian President Nicușor Dan delivered an address marking the start of the new academic year across the country. In the statement released by the Presidential Administration, Dan noted that opening day represents a moment of discovery for young children entering classrooms and a period of maturation for older students preparing for examinations or vocational choices. He stated that education extends beyond formal grading books, numerical scores, and examinations, defining it instead through the trust built between instructors and students, parental patience, and a child's willingness to ask questions, make errors, and try again. He framed the contemporary mission of schools as increasingly demanding in an environment defined by instant digital communication and artificial intelligence. Pupils, he argued, must acquire the ability to ask precise questions, verify internet search findings, separate facts from disinformation, and formulate independent judgments.

School has today a mission that is more important, but also harder than ever: to form adults capable of critical thinking. In a world where information circulates instantly, and technology and artificial intelligence become part of our daily lives, it is not enough to have rapid access to information.

Teacher compensation and professional conditions

Addressing teaching personnel across Romanian schools, Dan expressed gratitude for their tenacity, professionalism, and individual care for students amid administrative burdens and changing rules. He argued that no educational reform or state investment can achieve meaningful results without respected, well-prepared, and properly remunerated educators. Dan emphasized that salary levels and institutional working conditions must reflect the essential importance of the teaching profession in society.

I have all appreciation for the people of the school and I believe that no reform and no investment can succeed without respected, well-prepared and supported teachers, including through working and salary conditions that reflect the importance of the profession.

Critique of fragmented educational reforms

The president addressed the structural evolution of Romania's educational sector over recent decades, acknowledging that ongoing societal transformations produced both positive developments and widespread dissatisfaction. He stated that Romania still has unresolved issues in education because past policy changes were often introduced too quickly without sufficient preparation time, or were abandoned before full implementation. This continuous cycle of new rules and partial reforms created fatigue, demotivation, and institutional mistrust among staff. Dan called for future educational measures to be grounded in verified data, objective result evaluations, structured dialogue, dedicated resources, and adequate timelines to deliver lasting effects.

Student habits, family roles, and first-day appearance

Turning to pupils and families, Dan urged students to cultivate curiosity, discipline, and patience, describing these traits as lifelong habits that extend well past formal schooling. While acknowledging the appeal of digital content, he advised pupils not to replace direct face-to-face interaction and friendships with virtual alternatives. For parents, he emphasized that character formation requires consistent family involvement, trust, and emotional backing. Dan personally attended the opening day of classes on 7 September in Bucharest, accompanying his daughter to school alongside his partner, Mirabela Grădinaru.