site.btaMPs to Debate Pre-school and School Education Act Revisions on First Reading

MPs are scheduled to debate on first reading three bills amending the Pre-school and School Education Act, according to the draft agenda of the National Assembly for this week. One of the bills has been submitted by the Council of Ministers, while the other two were introduced by MPs from Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (CC–DB).

The Cabinet's proposal introduces two new forms of language support for children and students who do not have sufficient command of the Bulgarian language. It also changes the status of math and science high schools, turning them into specialized schools with admission after the 4th and 7th grades. A new subject, Virtues and Religions, will be introduced in the compulsory curriculum as an elective and will not be graded, according to the bill’s reasoning. The proposal also provides for transportation for pre-school children and students with special educational needs in grades 1 through 12 who travel daily to study in another settlement.

The bill submitted by Elisaveta Belobradova (CC–DB) and a group of MPs proposes that the State adopt a strategy for digitization and the use of artificial intelligence in education to ensure equal access to quality education.

The amendments introduced by Nikolay Denkov (CC–DB) and a group of MPs call for the introduction of a principle for the ethical, safe, and educational use of artificial intelligence in schools. The bill also stipulates that the study of religion should remain optional. The State would be required to create conditions and support teacher training, raise parental awareness, and facilitate opportunities for organizing religious classes at religious institutions outside the compulsory school programme. The proposal also introduces term limits for the position of school principal in state and municipal educational institutions, allowing for a maximum of two consecutive four-year terms.