STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND LEARNING IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA (2021-2030)

The present strategic document and the Strategy for the Development of Higher Education in the Republic of Bulgaria for the period 2020-2030 outline the general framework for the development of education, training, and learning in the Republic of Bulgaria. The Strategic Framework for the Development of Education, Training, and Learning in the Republic of Bulgaria (2021-2030) was developed by the Ministry of Education and Science in collaboration with stakeholders.
The strategic framework takes into account that the main challenges in public affairs in the 21st century are driven by the intensive pace of development in all areas of public life, generated by mass digitization and technological advancement. According to this document, functional literacy in mathematics, technology, and digital skills needs to be further developed in current and future students if we aim for them to confidently tackle the major challenges on a global scale. For this reason, the introduction of a model of education based on interactive methods, active interaction between participants in the educational process and educational content is necessary.
Digitization and new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, are changing the world and the structure of professions. This change requires an increase in the level of digital competencies and a focus on education on mathematics, technology, and engineering skills; on working with algorithms, developing flexibility and adaptability skills. Young people must have access to quality education. Visible from the analysis presented in the Strategic Framework for the Development of Education, a large part of the children entering school will have a profession that does not yet exist, while many other professions disappear and are replaced by automated processes. Over the next 10 years, there is expected to be a significant shortage of technical personnel with vocational and higher education.
The strategy takes into account the unsatisfactory level of digital skills among participants in the educational process, but highlights the introduced training for acquiring digital skills and the provided access to free internet and digital resources in schools as a strong point, as well as the priority policies for digitalization in education, including in relation to the transition to a digital and green economy. The conservative social attitudes and limited support for proactive changes in education in line with technological and societal developments are identified as a threat to achieving the set goals in the development of digital skills in students.
Among the 9 priority areas for the development of education and training until 2030, Educational Innovations, Digital Transformation, and Sustainable Development in Education are identified. Digital skills and competencies are a priority for the entire educational spectrum, and access to ICT for children of the 21st century is declared an integral part of education. Efforts will be focused on developing skills in students to become digital creators, to model, program, and develop digital creativity. Efforts will be directed towards introducing specialized software solutions for analyzing and assessing educational results. Education for sustainable development is closely related to international discussions on sustainable development, the UN program, and the Sustainable Development Goals until 2030.