Nicușor Dan urges focus on critical thinking and science on World Education Day

Presidential address on World Education Day

On 5 October 2026, Romanian President Nicușor Dan issued an official public address on the occasion of World Education Day. In a statement released through the Presidential Administration in Bucharest, Dan framed the national educational framework as the fundamental basis for constructing a responsible civic future. He noted that the primary role of classroom instruction extends well beyond delivering basic curriculum and transmitting factual knowledge to children. Instead, Dan stated that school systems must focus on nurturing self-reliant adults who possess the intellectual independence to interrogate information and search for factual truth in public life.

World Education Day, which we celebrate today, marks the relevance of a field that, beyond its essential contribution to opening our children's minds to knowledge, has a decisive impact on the formation of adults who think freely, who have the courage to ask questions and to seek the truth.

Misinformation and declining trust in science

Dan addressed the broader informational landscape within which modern schooling operates, pointing to widespread manipulation and the swift circulation of unverified content. The president noted that these dynamics coincide with a measurable erosion of public confidence in scientific consensus. To counter these trends, Dan called for trained teaching professionals capable of equipping students with disciplined discernment. He stressed that pupils must be taught to systematically differentiate between subjective personal opinion and verifiable empirical proof. Furthermore, Dan stated that intellectual diversity must be approached as a constructive vehicle for dialogue and mutual understanding rather than a catalyst for societal division.

In a world where manipulation is increasingly widespread, disinformation circulates ever more rapidly, and trust in science is in decline, we need professionals who educate new generations to think critically and develop their discernment, to distinguish between opinion and proof, to cultivate their curiosity, and to view the diversity of ideas as an opportunity for dialogue and mutual understanding, not as a source of division.

Skills for an accelerating technological environment

The presidential message examined how accelerating technological changes alter the educational demands placed on students and institutions. Dan stated that modern schooling must prioritize cognitive adaptability and creative problem-solving to help younger generations navigate changing economic realities. He emphasized that students need structured guidance to maintain optimism and confidence when confronting technological disruption. According to the head of state, educational programs must train young individuals to recognize emerging technological trends and convert those shifts into productive career and societal opportunities.

Recognition for Romanian educators

In the final portion of the communication, Dan addressed the personal contributions and daily challenges facing teachers across Romania. He characterized the instructional profession as demanding and essential to the health of national institutions. Dan extended formal gratitude to educators for their sustained work and dedication in mentoring successive cohorts of students throughout their academic careers.

The role of teachers is as important as it is difficult. I convey my gratitude to them for the effort and involvement with which they raise and guide generation after generation.

The president concluded the address with an official greeting to all personnel active in the field of education, recognizing their role in connecting communities, reinforcing civic bridges, and expanding horizons for the next generation.