Balgarianovinite.com In an interview with bTV on Sudnay evening, Minister of Education and Science Georgi Valchev said: “We find ourselves in a paradoxical situation – on the one hand, we must take measures to resolve the crises in Bulgarian education, but on the other hand, we must not rush.”
Commenting on the results of the national external assessment in mathematics, Valchev noted that the average score on the tenth-grade mathematics exam is slightly above a 3 out of 6. “The fundamental problem is that students are struggling. By rushing through the material, they become demotivated and fall fatally behind in the upper grades,” he said. The Minister noted that the solution to the problem lies in attracting young and qualified teachers in the natural sciences, while changes to the curricula and textbooks are not expected to be ready until at least 2028, as the process requires a complete overhaul of the entire system, as well as the piloting and testing of textbooks. Valchev added that he would try to shorten the process by one year.
On the topic of a second chance to take the national external assessment after seventh grade, Valchev stated that he does not currently consider such a measure appropriate, but admitted that separating the assessment from the entrance exam for various secondary schools could be considered. He noted that he is concerned not so much by parents’ dissatisfaction as by the anxiety that affects the children. “When a family is in turmoil, when there is constant debate over assignments and how they are conducted, and when teachers are criticized – this affects the children,” the Minister said.
Regarding the secondary school graduation exam after tenth grade, Valchev stated that he is considering introducing ongoing assessments throughout each school year, which would contribute to an overall grade in the respective subject, rather than a one-time exam.
On the topic of teachers’ salaries, Minister Valchev said there would be no further increase by the end of the year. “We will not have the funds for another increase in teachers’ salaries; there is only the 5% increase as of January 2026,” he explained. The Minister added that work on the 2027 budget will begin at the end of July, and that the Government will strive to reach the level stipulated by law of 125% of the average gross salary for teachers.
When asked about the funds withdrawn from the accounts of approximately 250 public schools in early June, Valchev clarified that this was a directive from the Ministry of Finance, not a decision by the Education Ministry. “I personally apologize, because we were also taken by surprise,” he said, assuring that none of the public schools had experienced a shortage of funds and that, following the adoption of the budget, the transitional balances would be restored.
On the proposed ban on social media for children under 16, Valchev stated that, in principle, he supports such an idea, as numerous studies demonstrate the negative effect on young people’s mental health. “The key issue for me, aside from the ban, is what we will offer the children. Are we able to offer a sufficiently wide range of different sports and extracurricular activities?” he said. The Minister warned that bans, in and of themselves, sometimes end up having negative effect.
On the topic of artificial intelligence in schools, Valchev noted that 95% of students are already using it in their studies. “Artificial intelligence is a new technology; like any new technology, it has many positive aspects, but it also has many negative effects,” he said, announcing that regulations governing its use in schools are in the works. Minister Valchev: Crises in Education Should Be Solved but Without Rushing 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-07-12 18:15:34 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law