Romanian Ministry of Education Report: a tough diagnosis of digital skills in Romania
The Ministry of Education and Research, under the leadership of Minister Daniel David, published its QX Report - a comprehensive diagnostic report - that analyses the current state of the education and research system in Romania.
The document highlights a major deficit in digital skills and technological innovation, critical for the future of the labour market and the country's competitiveness, and proposes a series of reforms aimed at fundamentally changing the paradigm.
A worrying diagnosis: Too little innovation, too few skills
The QX report presents a clear picture of the digital reality in Romania. According to the cited data, the current situation raises serious questions about the preparation of the workforce for the economy of the future.
The most alarming statistics show that only about 33% of Romanian adults have an adequate level of digital skills, a figure well below the EU average of 54%. This discrepancy is aggravated by an increased level of functional illiteracy, which affects the basic ability of citizens to adapt to the requirements of a digitalised economy.
Furthermore, the document draws attention to the low performance of the Research & Development & Innovation (R&D&I)system, a key driver for technological progress:
- Too little technological innovation: Romania transforms very little of the academic knowledge it generates into technological innovations with a real impact on the economy.
- Lowest number of researchers in the EU: Our country is facing a shortage of specialists in the research area and is vulnerable to the phenomenon of brain drain.
- Chronic underfunding: The percentage of GDP dedicated to RDI is more than four times lower than the European average, which hampers development.
These problems, taken together, pose a major risk to the development of the digital jobs sector, which is fundamentally dependent on a highly skilled workforce and a well-performing innovation ecosystem.
Vision for the future: STEM, digitalisation and artificial intelligence at the heart of the reform
Beyond the harsh diagnosis, the QX Report proposes a clear vision and a number of strategic reforms, with a strong focus on digitalisation.
1. Prioritising STEM and digital skills
- The report states that the education system must focus on developing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) skills, explicitly including digital skills. They are considered essential not only as separate disciplines, but as a foundation for an ‘innovative dual-entrepreneurial context’, directly connecting education to the demands of the digital labour market.
2. Modernisation of the educational process through technology
- At pre-university level, it is proposed to rethink the curriculum to integrate the eight key European competences, including prominently STEM and digital skills. An important novelty is the 2025 launch of pilot projects for the use of artificial intelligence in education. At the same time, efforts are directed at equipping schools with digital equipment and science laboratories through NRRP funds.
3. Connecting higher education to the new industrial revolution
- Universities are encouraged to take on the role of innovation drivers more effectively, and develop specialisations and professions connected to the new technology-based industrial revolution (STEM). The aim is to make graduates not only knowledge consumers, but also to understand and be able to generate innovation, thereby boosting the labour market and creating new segments of digital jobs.
4. Digitalisation as a tool for reform
- The report proposes cutting red tape in the system through ‘intelligent digitalisation processes and the use of artificial intelligence’, demonstrating that technology is not only a goal of education, but also an essential means to make it more efficient.
An alarm signal, but also a roadmap
Without a massive investment and structural reform focused on digital skills and innovation, Romania risks losing the race for economic competitiveness.
The QX report is a necessary document that acts as a wake-up call - but also as a roadmap. Implementation of the proposed solutions is essential to ensuring that future generations will be prepared for the challenges and opportunities brought by the global digital skills and jobs market.
The full report can be consulted on the website of the Romanian Ministry of Education.
