Before the 1989 revolt, the lives of the Romanian people were affected by the Communist government in many ways. The government decided what kind of jobs students should prepare for in school. It owned or managed most of the country's businesses and farms, and so almost all the people worked for the government. Romanians could not change their jobs or leave the country without the government's permission. After the revolution, the new government lifted most of these restrictions.

Romanian law requires children from six to 16 to attend school. Elementary school lasts eight years. Students then take tests that are prepared by the government to determine what kind of course they will study in secondary school. About half the students are assigned to vocational courses. These students learn the basic skills that are needed for work on farms or in factories. Most of the other students take courses that train them in advanced technical skills, in the arts, or in teaching. The top elementary school graduates--about five percent of the total--are assigned to courses that prepare them for college.