site.btaEducation Ministers Comments on Priorities in Education System

Minister of Education and Science Krasimir Valchev met Friday with teachers and principals of educational institutions from Kardzhali, Southern Bulgaria. He told them that currently  the budget situation in the country is worse than when he was minister eight years ago. He added that the policy of the remuneration for pedagogical specialists of 125% of the average salary for the country will be implemented, "because motivated teachers are the main factor for good education".

In Kardzhali, the Minister began his tour of the country to meet with teachers and principals. He was welcomed by Mayor Erol Myumyun, Regional Governor Nikola Chanev, Head of the Regional Education Department Angelina Kostova, and representatives of trade unions.

Minister Valchev also pointed out that some of the ministry's priorities have already been announced, but specifically the efforts are aimed at 4-5 specific changes in order to continue the important policies for the sector.

"The policies are in terms of having good and  well prepared teachers, including in terms of remuneration, to effectively cover and include every child in the system, to modernize the material and technical base, inclusive education. These are policies that we must continue," said the Minister of Education.

He added that there is one big challenge in the field of education - the Bulgarian education system is still too focused on imparting knowledge and there is no time left for the formation of skills.

“Especially after the 4th grade, the programmes become very steep, students and teachers rush and do not have time for exercises, consolidation of knowledge and deeper learning. It is especially visible in more difficult subjects such as mathematics and physics," commented Valchev. He added that this requires a change in the curricula not only quantitatively, but also conceptually as a philosophy.

The Minister said that "the culture of formality in the system, the cult for the document and checks to see if teachers have filled out documens, and not whether they have worked with the children and made effective efforts in working with them, must be changed". "We know what we need to do. Other countries are doing it too," noted Valchev.

Regarding the proposals from the unions to introduce a discipline assessment, as well as a complete ban on phones in school, Minister Krasimir Valchev commented that they are prohibited in class and the question is not whether there should be a ban, but whether the restriction is applied.

As for the proposed discipline assessment, the Minister of Education is of the opinion that measures to improve discipline should rather be discussed. Valchev added that in his opinion, the entire system of sanctions should be changed, so that they are much easier to enforce because there is currently a reluctance to enforce them.