Bulgaria Approves Sweeping Education Reforms,Including Controversial ‘Virtues and Religions’ Curriculum
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A complete overhaul of Bulgaria’s education system passed its first reading in parliament following a four-hour debate,introducing notable changes ranging from curriculum adjustments to school governance and student support. The legislation, approved with 169 votes in favor from a coalition of parties including the Renaissance, MRF-HN, APS, Sword, and Independents, aims to modernize the educational landscape and address key challenges facing Bulgarian students.
Contentious ‘Virtues and Religions’ Subject Sparks Debate
The most contentious element of the reform centers around the introduction of a new subject, “Virtues and Religions.” Despite calls for its withdrawal from Nikolay Denkov, co-chair of the Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria coalition, the subject remains in the bill. Critics argue it could be used for religious indoctrination and violates the secular nature of the Bulgarian state. Proponents, however, maintain it will foster moral advancement and cultural understanding.
The reforms also curtail the authority of local mayors to unilaterally declare non-teaching days. Under the new law, mayors can now cancel up to three school days per year only in cases of unforeseen circumstances or for city holiday celebrations. Emergency situations will require prior approval from the minister of Education. This change comes after instances like the Nessebar municipality’s declaration of October 3rd as a non-teaching day following devastating floods that resulted in four fatalities.
Enhanced Support for Bulgarian Language learners
Recognizing the importance of language proficiency,the legislation mandates additional support for students struggling with Bulgarian. Teachers will assess language skills upon entry into preschool or first grade, with support offered through consultations, individual tutoring (grades 1-7), or dedicated language courses. This initiative aims to combat the high rates of student dropout linked to language barriers.
Mathematics High Schools Reclassified as Specialized Schools
The legal definition of mathematics high schools is being updated to align them with other specialized schools focused on sports, arts, culture, and religious studies. Students admitted after the fourth grade will be guaranteed continued enrollment through the seventh grade, regardless of their academic performance.
Addressing Segregation in schools
A key priority of the reforms is to combat the segregation of Roma children in schools. Municipalities will be legally obligated to prevent the creation of kindergartens and schools with a predominantly Roma student population. The legislation defines such institutions as those “with a concentration mainly for children and students of Roma origin, which makes it impractical to implement a policy for effective inclusion in the system of pre-school and school education.” Regional education departments will be tasked with reducing admissions to these schools and redirecting students to more integrated environments.
Additional Reforms Enacted
Several other significant changes are included in the new legislation:
- First-grade students will be permitted to repeat the year once.
- A National Electronic Educational Resources platform will be established to host approved digital learning materials and a National Career Orientation Center.
- School directors serving as MPs, mayors, or holding other senior positions will be able to return to their previous roles after completing their terms.
- Teacher and principal certifications will now be conducted annually, rather than every four years.
- Fines for parents failing to enroll their children in preschool or school will increase to 80-250 levs (from 50-150 levs), with repeat offenders facing fines up to 800 BGN. Funds generated from these fines will be allocated to the school or kindergarten, or to the municipality if the institution operates on a delegated budget.
Yordanka Fandakova, representing GERB, hailed the government’s project as a step towards a more modern and quality education system. Stanislav Balabanov of “Change” pledged support due to proposals concerning school principal mandates and the integration of artificial intelligence. The MRF – New Beginning also expressed support, notably for the enhanced Bulgarian language support, while raising concerns about teacher evaluations and the limitations placed on mayors’ authority regarding non-teaching days.
These reforms represent a significant shift in Bulgaria’s approach to education, aiming to address long-standing challenges and prepare students for the demands of the 21st century.
