site.btaEducation Minister Tanev: We'll Suppress Appetites for Agricultural Schools' Land

Education Minister Tanev: We'll Suppress Appetites for Agricultural Schools' Land

Sofia, January 8 (BTA) - Addressing a conference on Friday about the role vocational secondary schools play in the agriculture sector, Education Minister Todor Tanev admitted there were appetites for their land and vowed to suppress them. "We'll do our best to keep these lands which are necessary for the education process at schools and universities," the Minister said.

Tanev underscored that jobs in agriculture should become attractive to students. He noted a need to connect all agricultural schools in a network and streamline it in order to do away with the fictitious enrolment of students.

The Minister said that streamlining should be based on a good business plan and should be carried out by local businesses, teachers and regional education inspectorates.

Tanev proposed credits for students at vocational schools which can be used for admission in college and university without entrance exams.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Georgi Kostov said that agricultural schools and their properties will be transferred to municipalities and their livestock and farming produce will be eligible for direct payments paid to other farmers. The municipalities will be able to make decisions to streamline the school network and set the educational priorities, said Kostov.

Yanka Takeva, leader of the Bulgarian teachers trade union, underscored a need for knowledgeable farmers who are equipped to operate the latest agricultural technology. She called for the designation of protected agricultural highs schools and agricultural professions.