Deputies to discuss three bills amending the Preschool and School Education Act at first reading, the draft program of the National Assembly for this week provides. One bill was submitted by the Council of Ministers, and the other two - by deputies from the “Continuing Change-Democratic Bulgaria“ (PP-DB).
The changes of the Council of Ministers provide for two new types of language support for children and students who do not speak the Bulgarian language sufficiently; a change in the status of mathematical and natural-mathematical high schools in specialized schools, with admission after the fourth and seventh grades. A new subject is being introduced in compulsory school hours – “Virtues and Religions“, proposing to study optionally as “Religion – Orthodoxy&rdash;&rdash; Religion – Islam&rdash; or “Virtues/Ethics”, and no grades will be written for this subject, states the explanatory memorandum to the bill. It also envisages providing transportation for children of compulsory preschool age and for students from first to 12th grade with special educational needs who travel daily to study in another settlement.
The bill, submitted by Elisaveta Belobradova (PP-DB) and a group of MPs, proposes that the state follow a strategy for digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence in education to achieve equal access to quality education. When the number of children decreases during school vacation periods, the kindergarten may organize group classes while complying with the requirements for the maximum number of children in a group, determined by the state educational standard for financing institutions, the bill states.
With the changes introduced by Nikolay Denkov (PP-DB) and a group of MPs, it is proposed to introduce a principle of ethical, safe and educationally oriented use of artificial intelligence in school education. It is envisaged that the study of religion with confessional characteristics will remain freely elective, and the state should create conditions and support the training of teachers, the awareness of parents and the opportunities for organizing classes at religious institutions outside the mandatory program. It is also proposed to introduce a mandate for the position of "director" of state and municipal educational institutions with a maximum duration of two consecutive four-year terms.
The draft program for this week includes the first reading of amendments to the Law on the Defense and Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria, submitted by the Council of Ministers, and the second reading of amendments to the Law on the Commercial Register and the Register of Non-Profit Legal Entities.
On Thursday, deputies are scheduled to consider amendments to the Law on Equality between Women and Men at first reading. The draft program also includes the second reading of amendments to the Law on Cybersecurity, the first reading of amendments to the Law on the Bar and the Law on the Markets of Financial Instruments, and ratifications of international documents.
Regular parliamentary control is scheduled for Friday.