site.btaNext Parliament Faces Challenge of Differentiating Types of Higher Education Schools, Says Caretaker Minister of Education

The challenges in the legal changes are of great importance for the higher education sector in Bulgaria, said caretaker Minister of Education and Science Galin Tsokov on Monday at an online seminar held at the University of Economics in Varna. 

The seminar addressed the problems and challenges faced by the Bulgarian higher education system, among which are also the missing criteria for defining the different types of higher education schools, of which there are more than 52 across all regions in the country. Tsokov noted that it remains to be seen to what extent the future parliament will succeed in defining different types of universities and academies, such as research, educational and vocational higher schools and the funding for each type, as well as deciding whether art academies should have a separate status altogether.

He added that a very important challenge is the way of financing higher education, as it is not only related to changes in the law, but also to the implementation of the by-law framework. The financing is not based on the number of teachers and students, but on the basis of quality education. This, however, was not implemented in the last budget, despite the insistence of the Ministry of Education and Science, said Tsokov.

The Minister pointed out that the higher education system is one of the best reformed socio-cultural systems in Bulgaria. Tsokov singled out the work of the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (NEAA) and the regulatory changes aimed at assessment and financing based on research quality, as well as the results of Sofia University, which is among the top 5% of the best universities in the world. 

Tsokov noted that the Ministry has planned a project to build a comprehensive information system linked to the NEAA and higher education institutions, which should allow faster movement of up-to-date information regarding research work and records. A second project will start within months as a continuation of the project for student practices with a very important module regulating dual education in the Bulgarian higher education system.

The online seminar was also attended among others by the Rector of the Varna University of Economics, Prof. Evgeni Stanimirov, the President of the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency, Prof. Eliza Stefanova, the Chair of the Council of Rectors, Prof. Miglena Temelkova, and the Chair of the Education and Science Commission in the 49th National Assembly, Krasimir Valchev, as well as by Varna Regional Governor Prof. Andriyana Andreeva.