COMENIUS

Project ●Little Bird – Little Tale●Detska gradina ●RADOST-Burgas●

Bulgarian Educational SystemThis project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission

cannot be held responsible for any use which may bemade of the information contained therein.

Bulgaria has established Bulgaria has established

democratic traditions in democratic traditions in modern secular education, modern secular education,

which date back to the which date back to the middle of the nineteenth middle of the nineteenth

century.century. When Bulgaria joined EU, the country When Bulgaria joined EU, the country

was already in the middle of rather was already in the middle of rather intensive educational reforms. intensive educational reforms.

Reforms included the introduction of :Reforms included the introduction of : ** delegated school budgets delegated school budgets * * the creation of a system of the creation of a system of

external assessment of student external assessment of student performance and outcomes based performance and outcomes based on tests on tests * * matric examination at the end of matric examination at the end of secondary educationsecondary education

Most schools in Bulgaria Most schools in Bulgaria belong to the state belong to the state system but in recent system but in recent years private schools are years private schools are beginning to gain in beginning to gain in popularity. popularity.

State education is free of State education is free of charge. charge.

The school year starts on The school year starts on September 15 and ends September 15 and ends in May or June depending in May or June depending on the grade level of on the grade level of students.students.

This is festive occasion. This is festive occasion. Many students Many students go to go to school carrying bouquets school carrying bouquets of flowers for their of flowers for their teachers and may be teachers and may be accompanied by their accompanied by their families.families.

Management Educationnational, central, regional, municipal and school Ministry of Education, Youth and Science – responsible for

the implementation of the national education policy, plans and organizes the development, administrative control and extend

National Education Inspectorate - central Offices of Education – regional Educational bodies - municipal Director The pedagogical council Trustees - independent voluntary associations to control

the management and development support of the educational institution

Funding from the state budget on the basis of uniform standards cost for one child, a student

Bulgarian Educational Bulgarian Educational System ChartSystem Chart

University, College,University, College,Specialized Higher SchoolSpecialized Higher School

Secondary educationSecondary educationage 15-19age 15-19

Basic Second StageBasic Second Stageage 11-14age 11-14

Basic First StageBasic First Stageage 7-10age 7-10

Pre-primaryPre-primaryage 3-7age 3-7

Nursery Nursery age 3 moths-3 yearsage 3 moths-3 years

Pre-primary, pre-school and School educationAge of entry: 3 Age of exit: 19

TYPE Length of program in

years

Age level from…to…

Certificate

Pre-Primary 4 3 - 7 Grade pre-primary LeavingPrior to starting school children must attend

two years pre-school program

Basic First Stage

4 7 - 10 Grade IV Leaving

Basic Second Stage

3 10 - 14 Basic Education Completion

Secondary 5 15 - 19 Diploma of Completed Secondary Education

Vocational Secondary

5 15 - 19 Diploma of Completed Secondary Education and Certificate of Professional Qualification

Some more Some more informationinformation

Compulsory education refers to all children between 5 to 16. Children are subject to two school years compulsory pre-primary education.Classes are mixed and made up of pupils of the same age.The grading system is based on numerals, where 6 is excellent, 5 is very good, 4 is good, 3 is satisfactory and 2 is poorThe official language of instruction is Bulgarian

The curriculum is structured into The curriculum is structured into three components: compulsory, three components: compulsory, elective and optional elective and optional. . Their correlation varies Their correlation varies at different types of schools. at different types of schools.Subjects fall into areas: Bulgarian language Subjects fall into areas: Bulgarian language and literature, foreign languages, and literature, foreign languages, mathematics, ICT, social sciences mathematics, ICT, social sciences

and civics, natural sciences and and civics, natural sciences and ecology, music and art, sportsecology, music and art, sports

Schools operate on a five-day week schedule. Schools operate on a five-day week schedule. Students from grades 1 to 12 normally spend half Students from grades 1 to 12 normally spend half

a day in school. The other half is for homework and a day in school. The other half is for homework and independent study at home. independent study at home.

In elementary school and sometimes in In elementary school and sometimes in presecondary school there exists an option for presecondary school there exists an option for students to spend the other half of the day in students to spend the other half of the day in school working on their lessons under the control school working on their lessons under the control of a teacher. This is done upon the explicit request of a teacher. This is done upon the explicit request of the parents. of the parents.

Most schools operate according to a two-shift Most schools operate according to a two-shift scheme (morning and afternoon) because of scheme (morning and afternoon) because of shortage of school premisesshortage of school premises. .

There is Christmas Holidays (Dec. 24 to Jan. 6); an There is Christmas Holidays (Dec. 24 to Jan. 6); an inter-term break (at the beginning of February); inter-term break (at the beginning of February); Spring holidays (Apr. 1-10) and a two-day break Spring holidays (Apr. 1-10) and a two-day break before Eastern Orthodox Easter. And 1before Eastern Orthodox Easter. And 1stst graders graders only have a short break in November (11-13).only have a short break in November (11-13).

Textbooks are subject to contest-based on writing, Textbooks are subject to contest-based on writing, publication, and distribution. All Bulgarian publication, and distribution. All Bulgarian publishing houses that meet the criteria set by the publishing houses that meet the criteria set by the Ministry of Education and Science can compete. Ministry of Education and Science can compete. The The textbooks suitable for use in a particular subject textbooks suitable for use in a particular subject are selected under conditions of real competition are selected under conditions of real competition with respect to content, artistic layout, and price. with respect to content, artistic layout, and price. On those terms, the Ministry works with more than On those terms, the Ministry works with more than thirty state and private thirty state and private publishing houses.publishing houses.Textbooks are freeTextbooks are free of charge of charge for for students from 1st to 7th grade and students from 1st to 7th grade and are are provided by provided by Ministry Ministry of Educationof Education .

Career Development of Teachers

MINISTERMINISTER

EXPERTEXPERT DIRECTORDIRECTOR TEACHERTEACHER

SENIORSENIORTEACHERTEACHER

HEADHEADTECHERTECHER

YOUNGYOUNGTEACHERTEACHER

TEACHERTEACHERMENTORMENTOR

• Development horizontally - occupying consecutive job positions

within the teaching profession

Development vertically - holding administrative positions in the public

education system

KKIINNDDEERRGGAARRTTEENN ““RRAADDOOSSTT”” BURGASBURGAS

• It is the oldest kindergarten in Burgas with 67 years old history. It’s cooperated in two buildings – the first one in the central part of the town, and the other one in Kraimorie from 10 km. located at the foreshore.

There are 270 children (3 – 7 years old) in 8 groups.

The pedagogical team is with19 preschool teachers and 17 assistance stuff.

Enjoyable moments in nature

Children project activities

Thank you for the attention!Radost-Burgas