Country Profile – Bulgaria

Numbers

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School year 2018/2019
	Number of schools K-12	Number of teachers K-12	Number of students K-12	Number of students per class K-12
General schools total	1.955	50.846	581.267	26.893
Primary (I-IV grade)	131	19.948	256.618	12.297
Basic (I-VII grade)	1 173	-	-	-
Integrated (I-X grade)	68	-	-	-
Lower secondary (V-VII grade)	-	18.644	190.033	8.700
Upper secondary (VIII-XII grade)	115	12.254	134.616	5.896
Secondary (I-XII grade)	468	-	-	-
*of which private schools*	78	-	*10.113*	-
Special schools total	9	-	690	88
Correctional boarding schools	3	-	66	-
Social-pedagogic boarding schools	1	-	22	-
Schools for hard hearing children	5	-	300	-
Schools for visually handicapped children	302	-
Vocational schools total	405	11.493	135.399	6.044
Art schools	21	1 632	8.890	417
Sport schools	25
Vocational gymnasiums	359	9.837	124.016	5.448
Vocational training classes for attained of the first level professional qualification	-	24	2.493	179
Source: *Republic of Bulgaria, National Statistical Institute* General schools by type – Edu_2.6.1_en, https://www.nsi.bg/en/content/4855/general-schools-type Special schools by type – Edu_2.6.2_en, https://www.nsi.bg/en/content/4857/special-schools-type Vocational schools by type – Edu_2.6.3_en, https://www.nsi.bg/en/content/4859/vocational-schools-type Teaching staff in general schools by teaching level and sex – Edu_2.5.1_en, https://www.nsi.bg/en/content/4842/teaching-staff-general-schools-teaching-level-and-sex Teaching staff in vocational schools – Edu_2.5.4_en, https://www.nsi.bg/en/content/4848/teaching-staff-vocational-schools Students in general schools by grade groups, sex and ownership – Edu_2.1.1_en, https://www.nsi.bg/en/content/4813/students-general-schools-grade-groups-sex-and-ownership Students in special schools by type of the schools – Edu_2.1.2_en, https://www.nsi.bg/en/content/4815/students-special-schools-type Students in vocational schools – Edu_2.1.3_en, https://www.nsi.bg/en/content/4817/students-vocational-schools Independent classes by grade groups in general and special schools – Edu_2.7.1_en, https://www.nsi.bg/en/content/4862/independent-classes-grade-groups-general-and-special-schools Independent classes in vocational schools – Edu_2.7.2_en, https://www.nsi.bg/en/content/4864/independent-classes-vocational-schools

Number of secondary level students per computer in 2017/2018

Source:
Statista 2020: Number of secondary level students per computer in selected European countries in 2017/2018, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1085636/secondary-students-per-computer-eu/

Legislation of Education

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Pre-school and School Education Act

promulgated in State Gazette No. 79 of 13 October 2015, in force since 01.08.2016, amended and supplemented, SG No. 99 of December 12, 2017) regulates public relations related to the provision of the right to pre-school and school education as well as the structure, functions, organization, management and financing of the system of pre-school and school education.
http://lll.mon.bg/uploaded_files/ZAKON_za_preducilisnoto_i_ucilisnoto_obrazovanie_EN.pdf

Vocational Education and Training Act

promulgated, State Gazette issue 68 of 30th July 1999, last amended State Gazette issue 103 of 28th December 2017 defines the purpose and the tasks of the vocational education and training system, its structure and nature, regulates the organisation, institutions, management and financing of the system of vocational education and training, and the social relations.
http://lll.mon.bg/uploaded_files/zakon_profesionalnoto_obrazovanie_2015_EN.pdf

Ordinance No. 5 of 30.11.2015 on general education (promulgated, State Gazette issue 95 of 08.12.2015, effective since 08.12.2015), issued by the Minister of Education and Science, sets the state educational standard for the general education, as well as the curriculum structure of the general education subjects, the structure of the annual thematic distribution and the requirements for the integrative and the new additional general education subjects in the innovative schools.

Ordinance No. 8 of 11.08.2016 on the information and documents for the system of pre-school and school education (promulgated, State Gazette issue 66 of 23.08.2016, effective since 23.08.2016, last amended and supplemented, issue 75 of 15.09.2017, effective since 15.09.2017) issued by the Minister of Education and Science sets the state educational standard for information and documents on the system of pre-school and school education.

Ordinance No. 9 of 19.08.2016 on the institutions in the system of pre-school and school education (promulgated, State Gazette, issue 68 of 30.08.2016, effective since 30.08.2016, last amended and supplemented, issue 78 of 29.09.2017) issued by the Minister of Education and Science determines the state educational standard for institutions in the system of pre-school and school education.

Strategy for the Effective Implementation of Information and Communication Technologies in Education and Science in the Republic of Bulgaria (2014-2020)

The main goal of the strategy is to provide equal and flexible access to education and scientific information at any time and from anywhere. The objectives are:

increasing the interest and motivation of students to use innovative IT-based methods;
providing students in isolated regions with opportunities to succeed, providing access to high educational resources;
promoting interactive learning and critical thinking;
raising students’ interest in technology;
promoting technology education and more.

For the first time, a unified digital information environment for school education, higher education and science is to be created. The strategy includes three stages.

The first stage is devoted to key investment, with the aim that at least 50 per cent of all schools are provided with a wireless network. The introduction of a national e-learning and content management platform is to enable e-learning and the integration of current electronic tools and future electronic textbooks.
The mid-term stage, 'Mobility and Security' envisages the provision of durable optical high-speed connectivity to educational institutions, allowing, for example, real-time multimedia tools to be used and joint open online lessons.
For 2018-2020, the strategy envisages the creation of a unified learning environment for u-learning (ubiquitous learning), a transition to electronic textbooks for all subjects, virtual classrooms and laboratories, and national online exams and evaluation systems.

www.mon.bg/upload/6543/strategia_efektivno_ikt_2014_2020.pdf

Operational Programme Science and Education for Smart Growth 2014-2020

The programme is managed by the Executive Agency Operational Programme Science and Education for Smart Growth. It supports the reform of the pre-school and school education, as well as of the higher education, in particular by improving the correspondence between their results and the needs in the labour market and by enhancing the cooperation between education, research institutes and business.

The resources of OP SESG are concentrated in several thematic areas. One of them is the Capacity building for research and development (R&D) in the priority areas of the Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization (IS3) in the field of Informatics and ICT among others.

Within the framework of the 'Science and Education for Smart Growth' operational programme, the Ministry of Education undertook to lead a three-year project (2018-2020) aimed at improving teacher-specific digital competences in-service through relevant training. This mainly focuses on shaping the digital competences needed for teaching and learning and on the use of innovative technologies and interactive methods and tools in the educational process. The training covers a large number of topics such as the application of digital technologies in all subjects, using digital technologies and electronic resources, and the application of ICT in education.

National Strategy for Lifelong Learning (2014-2020)

It was adopted with DCM № 12 of January 10, 2014. It outlines the content, forms, environment, and interactions among all players in the lifelong learning process. It sets out the strategic framework of the government’s policy in education and training during the 2014-2020 period. The main aim is to contribute to the attainment the European goal for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
www.strategy.bg/StrategicDocuments/View.aspx?lang=bg-BG&Id=880

Source:

European Commission – Eurydice: Bulgaria – Legislation and Official Policy Documents, 31^st December 2019, https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/content/legislation-9_en
Executive Agency Science and Education for Smart Growth Operational Programme, http://sf.mon.bg/?lang=en
European Commission – Eurydice Report: Digital Education at school in Europe, August 2019, https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/sites/eurydice/files/en_digital_education_n.pdf

Organisations

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The administration of school education is organized on four levels: national, regional, municipal and school level.

Organization responsible for education	Role of the organization	Website
Ministry of Education and Science	Specialised body of the Council of Ministers for the administration of education. determines and implements state policy in the field of education forecasts and plans and the activities pertaining to the development of education by drafting long-term programmes and operational plans organizes and coordinates the work of the administrative units and education establishments monitors the activity of all types and levels of schools approves school documentation and planning of school places ensures the implementation of innovations, the supply of the textbooks, curricula and teaching staff carries out international activities in the field of education	www.mon.bg/en
Center for Control and Assessment of the Quality in Education	A state scientific-informative section of the Ministry of Education and Science. It implements its activity by developing models and mechanisms for school-based evaluation and assessment, systems for control of the quality in education in schools and preparation test materials for different kinds of examinations which are given to the Ministry of Education and Science.
The National VET Agency	A specialized body directly subject to the Council of Ministers. coordinates the work of the institutions concerned with vocational training and occupational guidance. representatives of the Ministries, employers and the trade unions are involved as equal partners in its management responsible in particular for the licensing of the new “vocational training centres”, drawing up the general requirements concerning the organisation of the VET system, e.g. vocations and levels of vocational qualification, conditions of the acquisition of professional qualification and the organisation of the teaching process	www.navet.government .bg/en
28 regional education inspectorates	responsible for the overall educational policy set out by the Ministry of Education and Science, within the territory of the respective district territorial administration, management and control of the public education system reate conditions for the state education policy in the region
Municipalities	territorial administrative bodies implementation of the municipalities’ educational policy management of education at local level provide and control - compulsory school education of children up to 16 years of age - health care and safety at schools - funding for the maintenance, construction, furniture and repair of schools - appropriate conditions in canteens, boarding houses, recreation and sport facilities, and transportation for students and teachers - all the scholarships and special assistance for pupils
Pedagogical Councils of each school	include the head teacher, deputy heads, teachers, tutors and other specialists with educational functions adopt a strategy for the development of the school adopts the Regulations of the school activities, curriculum
Source: European Commission – Eurydice: Administration and Governance at Central and/or Regional Level, 3rd June 2018, https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/content/administration-and-governance-central-andor-regional-level-12_en Administration and Governance at Local and/or Institutional Level, 3^rd June 2018, https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/content/administration-and-governance-local-andor-institutional-level-12_en Institutions, 9^th October 2017, https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/content/institutions-2_en

Funding of education

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Type of schools	Source of funds
Primary and Basic schools	Mainly (approximately 90%) municipal. They are funded individually by uniform standard on the basis of the number of the learners enrolled in the school.
Schools providing general education	Mainly (approximately 90%) municipal. They are also funded by the municipal budgets individually by uniform standard on the basis of the number of the learners enrolled in the school.
Vocational schools	Mainly (approximately 90%) state-owned. They are funded by the state budget through the Ministry of Education and Science. Their budgets are individual according to the amount of the standard and the number of the enrolled learners.
The head teacher of each school manages the school’s funds – both budgetary and extra-budgetary.
Source: European Commission – Eurydice: Key Features of the Education System, Bulgaria, https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/content/bulgaria_en

Expenditure on educational institutions ISCED (2011) (Million EUR)

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Year	Expenditure	Primary education	Lower secondary education	Upper secondary education	Total
2012	Current expenditure	211,1	226,4	259,1	696,6
	Capital expenditure	9,4	10,2	15,5	35,1
	Total	220,5	236,6	274,5	731,6
	Share of capital expenditure (%)	4,3	4,3	5,6	4,8
2013	Current expenditure	228,8	241,0	273,4	743,2
	Capital expenditure	14,9	16,0	19,3	50,2
	Total	243,7	257,0	292,7	793,4
	Share of capital expenditure (%)	6,1	6,2	6,6	6,3
2014	Current expenditure	243,2	254,3	282,6	780,1
	Capital expenditure	18,3	18,7	24,3	61,3
	Total	261,5	273,0	306,9	841,4
	Share of capital expenditure (%)	7,0	6,8	7,9	7,3
2015	Current expenditure	250,3	261,8	282,7	794,8
	Capital expenditure	9,5	10,0	15,5	35,0
	Total	259,8	271,8	298,2	829,8
	Share of capital expenditure (%)	3,7	3,7	5,2	4,2
2016	Current expenditure	275,1	282,6	294,1	851,8
	Capital expenditure	8,8	9,2	14,4	32,4
	Total	283,9	291,8	308,5	884,2
	Share of capital expenditure (%)	3,1	3,2	4,7	3,7
Source: Eurostat (online data code: educ_uoe_fini01)

Investment plan for education / ICT in education

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The Operational Programme “Science and Education for Smart Growth” was dedicated to the development of science and education between 2014 and 2020. It has been financed from European and national funds and has been managed by the Ministry of Education and Science with a total budget of 1.37 billion BGN. It has three main objectives:

to increase the share of investment in science and research to 1.5% of GDP
to reduce the share of early school leavers below 11%
to increase the share of higher education graduates among 30-34 year olds to 36%

Source: Executive Agency Science and Education for Smart Growth Operational Programme, http://sf.mon.bg/?lang=en

Procurement Procedure

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Public procurement system is rather centralised. In order to increase local control by decentralising budget, the number of contracting authorities has risen in recent years. More procurement contracts became controlled by mayors, school administrators and other municipal officials.

Public procurement is very complex and continuously changing both in legal and regulatory terms.

Public Procurement Agency (PPA) (www.aop.bg/index.php?ln=1): main body responsible for public procurement which is an independent body belonging organizationally to the Ministry of Economy.

drafts laws on public procurement
gives methodological and other forms of guidance
performs mandatory ex-ante controls for ESI Funds co-funded procurement processes with a value above 1.3 million EUR and for contracts of non-EU funded works with a value of over 5 million EUR
monitors and analyses procurement markets
alerts supervision authorities on possible irregularities
maintains the Public Procurement Register (electronic database with information about public procurement procedures)

Central Financing and Contracting Unit Directorate (within the Ministry of Finance): purchasing body for central administration.

Commission for the Protection of Competition (CPC) (http://reg.cpc.bg/): first instance review body examining and deciding on claims of irregularities in public procurement processes. It has the right to interrupt the procedure in case of non-compliance and impose sanctions.

National Audit Office (NAO) (www.bulnao.government.bg/en):

performs independent audits of national public finance for legality, efficiency and effectiveness regularly auditing contracting authorities both at central and local levels
has limited rights to impose sanctions
can only forward its findings to the State Financial Inspection Agency.
State Financial Inspection Agency (www.adfi.minfin.bg/en/5):
belongs to the Ministry of Finance
responsible for ensuring the protection of public financial interests
carries out inspections of the budget and financial-economic and accounting activities of public bodies with the right of imposing sanctions.

Source:

Public procurement – Study on administrative capacity in the EU, Bulgaria Country Profile, https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/policy/how/improving-investment/public-procurement/study/country_profile/bg.pdf
www.minfin.bg/en

Year	Primary education	Lower secondary education	Upper secondary education	Total
2012	273,7	279,8	295,4	848,9
2013	336,1	331,7	332,3	1 000,1
2014	354,6	346,8	352,6	1 054,0
2015	356,0	348,6	342,6	1 047,3
2016	390,3	373,5	348,9	1 112,7
Source: Eurostat (online data codes: educ_uoe_fine01)

Country Profile - Bulgaria

Education Procurement in Bulgaria

Numbers

Legislation of Education

Organisations

Funding of education

Public expenditure on education ISCED (2011) (million EUR)

Expenditure on educational institutions ISCED (2011) (Million EUR)

Investment plan for education / ICT in education

Procurement Procedure

LEA contact