site.btaNGOs Deeply Worried about Planned Changes in School Education

NGOs are deeply concerned about planned changes in school education announced by the Ministry of Education and Science. They object to the authorities’ intention to introduce a discipline mark for school-goers, impose a complete ban on the use of mobile phones by students while at school, limit the number of times that parents may excuse their kids from school, and make religion a separate, compulsory school subject.

Citizens’ associations and activists said on Tuesday that the planned measures are restrictive, conservative and at variance with the secular nature of Bulgarian education as defined in the Preschool and School Education Act.

The National Network for Children (NNC) warned that the study of religion as a compulsory school subject holds a risk of dogmatic imposition of a particular worldview, religion-based division among children and violation of the principle of tolerance. NNC pointed to a lack of clarity about the content to be taught during religion class and the qualifications of the teachers. It argued that the current syllabus for religion as an optional subject includes outdated dogmas such as “death penalty for sins” and fails to take due account of the kids’ age.

The intended discipline mark and the total ban on mobile phones will place an additional stigma on kids and will be met with resistance, especially among high-school students, NNC cautioned. NGOs propose that, instead of being banned, telephones and other digital devices can be integrated into an interactive learning system, ethical use of artificial intelligence and an effort to improve academic performance.

NNC insisted that any new measure should be supported by a necessity analysis and an impact assessment. It believes that the package proposed by the Education and Science Ministry diverts public attention from real problems: lack of support for teachers and principals, outdated syllabuses and ineffective dialogue between school and family.

The organization expressed unconditional support for all participants in the education process and a willingness for dialogue with the Education and Science Ministry in view of creating effective, evidence-based alternatives which will improve academic results while also promoting ethics and values.