ESD 17:33:31 28-12-2019
PP1730ES.106
106 POLITICS-EDUCATION MINISTER-REPORT-2019

2019: Nearly 50,000 Children
Re-enrolled in School,
Teachers' Salaries Up by 20%


Sofia, December 28 (BTA) - In a performance report on the outgoing 2019, the Education Ministry said that an overall shift has begun to refocus the education system towards the acquisition of skills, competences and the motivation to learn. The Ministry highlights the promotion of innovations in education and teaching methods, the reduction of formal obligations for teachers and increasing methodological support by the regional educational inspectorate.

In 2019, the Ministry increased admissions in vocational classes and specialities and in STEM and IT specialities. Dual education was expanded along with lists of protected specialities and specialities in shortage on the labour market.

All educational establishments are supplied with Wi-Fi and the Ministry has been implementing a project for the digitalization of educational resources and teaching materials.

Efforts to enrol every child in preschool and school education have shown sustained results and currently nearly 50,000 children have been re-enrolled in school. By effecting changes to the legislation the scope of family benefits tied to school attendance wa expanded.

The Ministry is implementing a government commitment to increase the wages of teachers and in 2019 they were increased by 20 per cent. A special scheme, called Motivated Teachers, is aimed at recruiting teachers for the most problematic classes and schools.

In 2019, funding for over 400 Sunday schools abroad was increased to over 12 million leva. Also changes were proposed to broaden access of students from historic and new Bulgarian communities to the Bulgarian educational system.

The Ministry continued its work on shifting university admissions towards professional specialities that are key for the labour market and its policy for streamlining of specialities. The Ministry will continue to promote connectivity between universities by sharing resources and diplomas.

Funding for scientific research was increased considerably in areas of high public significance. Twenty million leva were made available for funding of national science programmes. In addition 22.5 million leva were invested in research facilities. Fourteen centres of excellence are being built to become the basis of modern science in Bulgaria. LN/PP