 He was educated at Spiru Haret High School in Bucharest.In the summer of 1944, just one week before graduating the 7th grade, he was forced to leave the school because of an argument with his uncle and Spiru Haret's school head master – George Șerban.Octavian Paler moved on to Radu Negru High School in Făgăraş, where he studied literature for his final examination.