Bulgaria : Improving the Quality and Relevance of Education for All

World Bank

Washington, DC

关键词: ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS;    ACCESS TO EDUCATION;    ACHIEVEMENTS;    ADULT EDUCATION;    ADULTS;   

RP-ID  :  68714

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

Bulgaria has recently introducedsweeping reforms of its secondary education system topromote more autonomy and accountability of schools forbetter learning outcomes.Positive results are alreadyshowing but more remains to be done to reap the fullbenefits of the reforms. Per-student-financing and delegatedbudgets have led to a wave of school closures that hadbecome essential in the wake of a dramatic decline instudent numbers. As opposed to the previous centralizedsystem, school-based management with a considerable degreeof decision-making power of the school principal has set thestage for schools to better adjust to local needs andopportunities for a better education. External studentassessments are now routinely conducted, which havesubstantially improved the evidence base for educationpolicy-making. However, concerns remain as to theaccountability of schools to the local community. Whileprincipals are accountable to the municipal authorities forthe use of financial resources, parents have little formalways of holding principals accountable for learningoutcomes. The reform was launched in the face of dramaticchallenges in terms of unsatisfactory learning outcomes,early school leaving and considerable inequities in theeducation system.Moreover, Bulgaria s vocational educationand training system remains un-reformed, and there areconcerns with regard to the quality and relevance, with fewformal communication channels to the labor market. Thehigher education system, meanwhile, is characterized by lowparticipation relative to other new EU Member States, andthe system of occupationally-oriented colleges, an importantpart of higher education across the EU, remainsunderdeveloped relative to academically-orienteduniversities. The economic crisis and associated fiscalpressures should not lead to cuts in the education budget.Promoting accountability for learning outcomes and resultsis the key policy direction for both secondary and tertiaryeducation. Teachers are the key determinant of the qualityof education.