Bulgaria's Education Minister Outlines Reforms and Challenges

Strategic Insights -

The Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science is pushing forward with over 20 amendments to the Pre-school and School Education Act, aiming to improve the quality of education. Education Minister Krasimir Valchev has announced plans to ban mobile phone use in schools, effective from November, and has also outlined changes to the mathematics exams for seventh and tenth grade students. These changes will require students to apply knowledge from the natural sciences in addition to mathematics. The Minister has also met with regional education department staff to discuss necessary changes and increasing salaries for regional employees.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science has proposed over 20 amendments to the Pre-school and School Education Act for consideration by the National Assembly.
  • A ban on the use of mobile phones by schoolchildren in schools is expected to come into effect as early as November, as announced by Education Minister Krasimir Valchev.
  • Mathematics exams for seventh and tenth grade students will require the application of knowledge from the natural sciences in addition to mathematics.
  • Regional administrations are the most important structures in the education system, according to Valchev, as they are responsible for implementing policies and overseeing ground-level implementation.
  • The Minister has met with regional education department staff to discuss necessary changes and increasing salaries for regional employees, who have seen a lag in salary growth over recent years.
  • Valchev emphasized that the amendments aim to improve the quality of education in Bulgaria, responding to the need for change in the system.

Statistics:

  • Over 20 amendments have been proposed to the Pre-school and School Education Act.
  • Mathematics exams for seventh and tenth grade students will require knowledge of basic concepts from the natural sciences.
  • The ban on mobile phone use in schools is expected to come into effect in November.

Sources:

  • Minister of Education and Science Krasimir Valchev
  • The Pre-school and School Education Act
  • National Assembly of Bulgaria
  • Burgas State University Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov
  • Regional administrations of Yambol, Sliven, and Burgas