This comparative analysis examines trends in the educational pathways chosen by 8th-grade students in Bistrița-Năsăud County, based on studies conducted for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years. The study highlights changes in student preferences, the level of information available to them, and measures implemented to support their decision-making process.
1. Student preferences for continuing education
In 2023-2024, 81.69% of students opted for high schools within the county, compared to 83.06% in 2024-2025, indicating an increasing interest in continuing their studies locally.
In 2023-2024, 8.28% of students chose vocational education, with a slight increase to 8.65% in 2024-2025.
The percentage of students choosing educational institutions outside the county remained relatively stable, with 3.08% in 2023-2024 and 3.20% in 2024-2025.
The number of undecided students decreased from 6.93% to 5.10%, suggesting an improvement in educational counselling and the availability of information.
2. Students’ level of information
In 2023-2024, 43% of students reported being well or very well informed about their educational options, increasing to 46% in 2024-2025.
The percentage of students who considered themselves completely uninformed decreased from 4% in 2023-2024 to 3% in 2024-2025.
Students continued to request more information about high schools and specializations, with 63% making such requests in 2023-2024 and 63.6% in 2024-2025.
3. Distribution of choices by educational track
The theoretical track remained dominant, with 63.26% of students choosing this option in 2023-2024, compared to 62.84% in 2024-2025.
The technological track saw a slight increase from 18.83% to 20.05%.
The vocational track experienced a minor decline from 17.90% to 17.12%.
4. Most popular specializations
The most requested specializations in both periods were Natural Sciences, Philology, and Mathematics-Informatics, with slight percentage variations.
For vocational education, the most popular fields remained Auto Mechanics, Aesthetics and Body Hygiene, and Forestry.
5. School support in choosing educational paths
Supplementary preparation classes were requested by 35% of students in 2023-2024, compared to 32.2% in 2024-2025, indicating a slight decline in this need.
Counselling activities for identifying aptitudes were necessary for 26% of students in 2023-2024 and 26.7% in 2024-2025, showing a constant demand for such programs.
Conclusions and recommendations
- Strengthening school and career orientation programs to support undecided students and continue the downward trend of this percentage.
- Increasing access to educational information through online platforms and interactive sessions with students and parents.
- Adapting the educational offer to labour market demands, particularly concerning technological and vocational specializations.
- Promoting vocational and dual education through information campaigns and collaborations with the economic sector.
The analyzed trends indicate a positive direction in terms of student educational orientation, with a higher level of information and increased interest in continuing their studies. Implementing the proposed recommendations can further enhance the decision-making process among 8th-grade students.
References
Harap, C.I., (2023), Study on the School Orientation of 8th Grade Students in Bistrița-Năsăud County, Bistrița.
Harap, C.I., (2024), Study on the School Orientation of 8th Grade Students in Bistrița-Năsăud County, Bistrița.