site.btaNational Network for Children Asks Education Minister to Answer 120+ Questions from Parents, Relevant Organizations

The National Network for Children (NNC) announced on Thursday that it has received more than 120 questions asked by parents, civil society organizations and activists on social networks. The questions are related to the changes, sanctions and policies planned by the Ministry of Education in Bulgaria’s school education.

Most of the questions are related to misunderstanding and apparent disagreement about the Ministry's planned changes. The reasons that have given rise to these changes are not only worrisome, but also raise serious questions about the competence of those responsible for education, the NNC statement says.

The NNC, civil society organizations, citizens and activists express strong concern about Education Minister Krasimir Valchev's statements about the planned package of punitive measures in school education, including assessment/sanction for discipline, a complete ban on carrying phones in school, and a reduction in the number of days off school at the request of a parent (for family reasons), currently approved at 15 days per year. In addition to this, it is proposed to introduce religion as a separate and compulsory subject, contrary to Bulgarian and European legislation, the organization points out, expressing hope that the Minister will answer the questions accumulated.

“At the round table held Thursday, organized by the Ministry of Education and Science, we witnessed a complete misunderstanding on the subject of Bulgaria's children and their education. Our children need support and examples to follow, not sanctions and the inculcation of ideological and religious doctrines,” the message says.

"We unconditionally support the Ministry of Education's intention that children should be taught ethics, morals and values, but this should be done in a non-dogmatic way, in a mode of discussion, examples, interactive role-plays, sharing of emotions and following personal example set by significant adults, including teachers and in all subjects. Instead, we are witnessing firm intentions by the Ministry of Education for changes of a prohibitive nature and the inclusion of a subject that will impose a worldview on students and contradict the secular nature of education in Bulgaria," said Georgi Bogdanov, Executive Director of the National Network for Children. 

“The discussed package of measures shifts the focus away from the real problems in the education system, and not only fails to address the fundamental causes of tensions in the system, but exacerbates them. Constructive dialogue with the Ministry of Education is extremely important to us and we remain ready for future discussions on education-related issues in the country,” the release says.