site.btaBulgaria Meets OECD Education Requirements for Membership, Report Shows

Bulgaria meets the requirements for joining the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in the field of education, according to a report published Tuesday by the OECD's Education Policy Committee. The committee has issued a positive opinion, concluding its technical review of Bulgaria’s education system.

The report was presented during a closing conference on Bulgaria’s accession to the OECD in the area of education, attended by Education and Science Minister Krasimir Valchev and OECD Director for Education and Skills Andreas Schleicher.

The OECD acknowledges Bulgaria’s progress in reforming its education system, particularly in improving access to education, introducing a competency-based curriculum, and enhancing the appeal of the teaching profession.

The report also highlights the country’s efforts to expand vocational education and lifelong learning opportunities, as well as its steps toward modernizing governance structures, including plans for a national institute for educational sciences and updated quality assessment systems.

Alongside these positive assessments, the OECD makes several recommendations. These include further efforts to improve the overall quality of education and to address regional socio-economic disparities among students, as noted in the 2022 PISA results. The OECD also recommends greater inclusion of adult learners in the education system, noting that currently only 3% of adults participate in educational programmes.

During the presentation of the OECD education report, Schleicher said that Bulgaria's education system provides a clear pathway to success, but one of its weaknesses is that vocational education and training is often seen as a last option for students. "Vocational education should be a first choice, not a last resort," Schleicher said. He called for a shift in teaching practices towards competency-based learning that goes beyond memorizing content and focuses on applying knowledge in real-life situations.

Schleicher also highlighted the importance of early childhood education and care. He stressed that the entire society must be involved in supporting education from an early age, focusing on developing key skills such as curiosity and courage, and promoting an integrated approach to learning. "It is much easier to teach in school when proper work has been done in early childhood," he noted.

Another critical point raised by Schleicher was the integration of learning and assessment. "The best schools are not the ones where students score the highest grades, but where they make the most progress," he said.

Valtchev emphasized the importance of assessment, noting that Bulgaria relies on the OECD’s support to help transform both the teaching and learning culture in schools. According to him, one of the critical areas is early childhood education and care. “We need to ensure proper qualification in this field, or we risk being left without staff for nursery groups,” the Minister warned. He acknowledged existing challenges related to teacher training and professional development, underlining the need to strengthen methodological support, mentoring, and qualification opportunities across the education system.

Deputy Education Minister Natalia Miteva underlined one of Schleicher’s key messages: joining the OECD is not about topping rankings. "The goal is to be part of a community of countries and education systems that learn from each other and move forward together in an unpredictable world, where skills matter more than rote knowledge, and applying knowledge is key," she said.

Miteva also highlighted the importance of curriculum design, assessment systems, funding, teacher training and continuous professional development, governance, and the use of data for decision-making.