The Minister of Education and Science Krasimir Valchev opened four new school STEM centers, newly built buildings and sports grounds in three Blagoevgrad municipalities - Garmen, Gotse Delchev and Razlog.
“The new environment and technologies are another prerequisite for motivating students to learn more, and teachers - to use more innovative teaching methods”, said Minister Valchev to teachers and students. He expressed satisfaction that the investments set out in the Recovery and Resilience Plan are being successfully implemented and support the development of the educational environment.
Thanks to the new STEM center in the “Hristo Botev“ Primary School in the village of Dolno Dryanovo, 147 students will be trained in three areas - "Mathematics and Informatics", "Natural Sciences", "Green Technologies and Sustainable Development". They will have integrated lessons, and the center also has 3 high-tech equipped and connected classrooms. Among the many purchased educational technologies, the students showed the constructed robots, as well as the "Scientific Greenhouse" set. Minister Valchev congratulated the team of Director Gyulka Arnaudova for the successfully invested 136,248 leva from the PVU.
At the Nevrokop Vocational High School "Dimitar Talev" Minister Valchev congratulated the school for preparing specialists in key areas for the economy - programming and robotics, computer technology, electrical engineering, economics, tourism and clothing. The curricula combine theory with practice and provide opportunities for learning through real-world projects, internships and partnerships with leading companies and institutions.
Teachers and students demonstrated how science, technology, engineering and mathematics are intertwined in the different zones. In the new STEM center, funded with 362,781 leva, they have a makerspace with 3D printers, laser cutters, robots, microcontrollers, drone technologies, artificial intelligence cameras, as well as a zone for digital art, 3D modeling, design and virtual simulations.
The school, which has 904 students, also has several training centers - in tourism, clothing, programming, computer technology and electrical engineering, modern computer and laboratory rooms, workshops and classrooms equipped according to European standards. All students have access to current technologies and resources that prepare them for successful implementation in a dynamic and digital environment, said the director, Veselin Petkov.
The minister also cut the ribbon on two new volleyball courts at the school, implemented under the MES Program for the construction and major renovation of sports grounds and gyms in state and municipal schools with nearly 210,000 leva allocated.
Sport is not only movement - it instills discipline, responsibility and the ability to play as a team, qualities important both in life and in the profession, the teachers noted.
In Ribnovo, 529 students will receive practical training in mathematics, informatics and natural sciences at the new STEM center of the Sofia University “Yordan Yovkov“. 363,599 leva have been invested in modern classrooms and equipment by the PVU.
The school has 8 specialized classes (mathematical and software and hardware sciences) and one professional class - in economic informatics.
Minister Valchev congratulated the director Mancho Dzhurkin for successfully investing the nearly 6 million leva allocated by the Ministry of Education and Science for the construction of a new educational building. Thanks to the investment, the school can switch to a single-shift training regime.
A modernly equipped dental office is now operating at the school.
On November 10, the school also celebrates its patron saint's day with a celebration and the unveiling of a bas-relief of Yordan Yovkov. The holiday brought together many guests and residents of Ribnovo.
The young students of the National University “Yane Sandanski“ in Razlog will also have the opportunity to touch science in a new school STEM center. Children will be able to explore with microscopes, experiment and construct.
The celebrations were attended by the regional governor of Blagoevgrad Georgi Dinev, members of parliament Ivan Gerchev, Kiril Dobrev, Stefan Apostolov, Georgi Georgiev, Fatima Yalduz, Natalia Kiselova, the advisor to the Prime Minister Asim Ademov, the head of the Regional Educational and Cultural Organization of Blagoevgrad Ivaylo Zlatanov, mayors of municipalities, municipal councilors, parents and members of the public councils of schools.
The events were attended by the mayors of Gotse Delchev - Vladimir Moskov, of Garmen - Ibrahim Pingov, of Razlog - Krasimir Gerchev, Milen Vrabevski, a partner of the schools with his foundation, public figures, etc.
During his visit, Minister Valchev held a working meeting with principals and teachers from the Gotse Delchev municipality, at which the processes in the education system were commented on.