site.btaOver 80% of Young Bulgarians Enjoy Reading, Study Shows

Over 80% of Young Bulgarians Enjoy Reading,  Study Shows

Sofia, September 9 (Metodi Yordanov of BTA) - Contrary to
stereotypes, over 80 per cent of Bulgarian students enjoy
reading, which is among their hobbies along with music, dancing
and drawing, shows a survey conducted by the ucha.se educational
 website as part of its initiative "Different, but not
Indifferent", which aims to bridge the gap between generations.
The poll was conducted among 1,442 students and parents in
August.

In addition to reading, the Bulgarian youth finds time for the
internet, with over 70 per cent of respondents indicating that
they spend over two hours online daily. Thirty-five per cent of
parents allow their children no more than two hours of internet
use per day, while 26 per cent do not impose any restrictions in
 that regard.

Although among the most interesting subjects, the majority of
students find Math to be the hardest. Bulgarian Language and
Literature, English and Biology are also ranked among the top
most interesting.

Asked what they would like to see changed in Bulgarian
education, most students say that they would like a better
explained curriculum, grades to not be an end in itself,
teachers to have a different attitude towards students,
electronic text books and for classes to be more interesting and
 fun. Parents respond to the same question by saying that
education should be more practical, lessons should be taught in
an understandable and interesting manner, technologies should
play a bigger role in the learning process, and that there
should be more mutual respect between students and teachers.

Over 60 per cent of Bulgarian students watch video lessons and
search for educational content online, while close to 20 per
cent of parents trust this type of content when it comes to
their children's external evaluations, matriculation exams and
applying for schools.
 
Some 70 per cent of parents indicate that they would use online
study materials for their children's additional learning, while
44 per cent are using paid online teaching aids. The poll shows
that 87 per cent of parents would let their child learn from a
computer, while 69 per cent find smart phones and tablets to be
suitable learning tools.

Only 18 per cent of students confirm the need for private
lessons in order to help them better prepare for school. The sum
 which parents pay for such lessons each month varies from 50 to
 over 100 leva in Sofia. Over 83 per cent of parents have
indicated that they consult with their children's teachers about
 their development in school and count on their expert opinion.

The study aims to help improve communication between generations
 in Bulgaria, the organizers say. "We managed to break some
stereotypes in our society, such as the one that young people
are not motivated to study and be successful, or that adults do
not trust the internet. This shows us that our efforts serve a
purpose and motivates us to continue trying to support the
dialogue between generations in this country," says the founder
of ucha.se, Darin Madzharov.