More classes in mathematics, Bulgarian language, literature and natural sciences, but fewer in foreign languages in high schools. Such changes are proposed by the Ministry of Education. How do students, teachers and parents accept the idea?
To know French perfectly - this has been Iglika's dream since childhood, writes bTV. In the 8th grade she chose to continue her studies at the capital's 35th secondary language school. However, she is skeptical of the changes.
“The classes after the 8th grade are absolutely insufficient, because the language, when not practiced, is often forgotten. I don't think that language classes should be reduced at the expense of mathematics and natural sciences, rather other subjects should be reduced”, says Iglika Ivanova - a student at 35. SEU "Dobri Voynikov".
According to Iglika's mother, reducing the number of foreign language classes will make more parents choose additional private lessons.
„Language high schools are still an oasis of sorts, where at least this expense for a good learning of the language to B1 or C1... this will save and saves quite a few expenses“, says Boryana Ivanova, Iglika's mother.
„The students did not choose a language high school by chance, they want to learn a language at a very good level. They have a greater affinity for language and know that they are focused on the humanities,“ believes Ines Bozhilova - a former graduate of the 9th FEG "Alphonse de Lamartine".
And the proposed changes by the Ministry of Education look like this:
The hours of Bulgarian language and literature will increase by 12%, and in mathematics - by 25 percent in both high school stages.
Along with this, the total number of hours in each of the subjects in the field of natural sciences in the first high school stage is also increasing. Also those in natural sciences, history and geography.
According to the teachers:
“This change will destroy the language high schools in our country. There is no need to deceive ourselves. Contact with culture, literature, civilization. These hours will very naturally be eliminated. We will not have enough time to pass on grammar and vocabulary. When people are constantly speaking against a foreign language, what can we do?, believes Vyara Lyubenova - teacher and chairwoman of the Association of French Language Teachers in Bulgaria.
The Ministry of Education explained that the goal is for students to receive a broader base of knowledge, instead of narrow specialization.
The foreign language will continue to be studied intensively in schools where subjects are studied in this language in grades 9 and 10. The proposed change is minimal and concerns only grade 8, where students will study 16 hours a week of a foreign language instead of the current 18.
The changes are also expected to improve PISA results, some teachers believe.
“We have been talking about the low results for a year and what the Ministry is proposing is in the direction of getting off the bottom and catching up with these results. The Ministry proposes an increase in mathematics and natural sciences, but the material itself will not be increased. That is, there will be more hours for practice, says Kalin Tanev - director of the 203 Specialized Language High School "St. Methodius.".
If the changes to the curricula are adopted, they will come into effect in 2026.