site.btaGERB Presents Education Development Programme in Plovdiv

MP candidates of GERB-UDF Yordanka Fandakova and Krasimir Valchev, alongside Plovdiv Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov, Deputy Mayor Vladimir Temelkov, and educational institutions representatives attended a roundtable discussion on education in Plovdiv, the coalition’s press centre reported Wednesday.

Opening the forum, Dimitrov said: "The teaching profession was put on a pedestal during GERB’s years in office. As a result, it has become one of the most sought-after professions."

"GERB is the party that has always considered education a national strategic and budgetary priority," Fandakova said. In addition to national funds, significant European funds have also been allocated for education. GERB is committed to ensuring that teachers’ salaries reach 125% of the national average wage, she added.

Former Education Minister Krasimir Valchev said that GERB has invested in education programmes for the construction and expansion of schools and kindergartens, as well as for the renovation and development of sports infrastructure. Education funding rose from 3.6% to 4.8% of GDP, which is an increase of over 2.5 billion, Valchev added. 

Future priorities include the establishment of a National Career Center, increasing the number of psychologists and resource teachers, expanding resource support, as well as reforming the curriculum with an emphasis on strong foundational knowledge, less rote learning, developing a broad range of skills, and strengthening the educational function, Valchev said.