Reform in preschool and school education and vocational education and training

The objective of this reform is to increase quality and access to education and training.

For this purpose, Bulgaria introduced amendments to the Preschool and School Education Act and to secondary legislation, which include:

• the update of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) core curricula and syllabus, through introduction of new IT skills (encoding) in classes five-seven; increase in mathematics hours in classes five-seven; increase in geography and economics hours in class six;
• additional distance learning opportunities,  including hybrid forms of learning combining in presence and online learning;
• the inclusion of four-year-olds in the mandatory preschool programme, and the provision for a gradual phase-in of the mandatory inclusion of four-years-old in preschool education.

Bulgaria also made amendments to the Employment Promotion Act, which introduce the possibility of combining vocational training with participation in a training course for persons over 16 years of age, introduce the option of validating professional skills and key competences acquired through non-formal learning or self-learning and increase the flexibility of training opportunities, including by increasing the offer of online trainings.

An Action plan for the implementation of the Strategic Framework for the Development of Education, Training and Learning in the Republic of Bulgaria (2021-2030), adopted as part of the reform, formulates measures and actions, including their timeline, to address the objectives of the Strategic Framework.

The reforms also includes amendments in the field of vocational education and training (VET) which provide for the approval of the list of professions for VET; approval of at least 250 state educational standards, plans, programmes for acquiring professional qualification; expansion of the role of employers in the amendment of the list of professions for VET and in the approval of state educational standards; and online training offers.

Additional Links:

https://www.mon.bg/...