site.btaWorld Bank Backs Implementation of Data Analysis System in Some 200 Bulgarian Schools

The World Bank will support the implementation of a data analysis system in approximately 200 Bulgarian schools and will train teams to use it, the Ministry of Education and Science reported on Tuesday. This is one of the activities to be carried out under the agreement signed between the Ministry and the international financial institution to help Bulgaria make more effective use of information resources in education.

An addendum to the document was signed by Minister of Education and Science Georgi Valchev and the World Bank Group's Country Manager for Bulgaria Jason Pellmar. The project duration is extended from 22 to 28 months, which will allow for the completion of all planned activities without the need for additional funding.

The agreement provides for the implementation of an electronic information dashboard in nearly 200 schools across the country, which summarizes information on various education indicators at the school, regional, and national levels. Principals will be able to use this information to identify their schools' strengths and weaknesses and make effective decisions regarding the development of educational institutions. At the national level, the information can be used to implement longer-term and more effective solutions for the development of the education system.

Valchev noted that the use of information systems and databases is extremely important for the successful implementation of reforms in the Bulgarian education system. He said: "I expect this project to contribute to better management of the system, because it will benefit both school administrators and the Ministry of Education and Science team. And better management also means better educational outcomes."

Pellmar expressed hope that the project's results will contribute not only to the development of educational programmes but also to the integration of new technologies into the education system, including ones based on artificial intelligence.

The necessary funding for the activities under the agreement has been secured as part of the systemic project Digital Transformation of School Education, which will be funded by the 2021-2027 Education Programme.