The Economic and Social Council (ESC) institution is sounding the alarm for an urgent transformation of the educational system, defining it as a crucial factor for national socio-economic development. In an official document adopted at a plenary session on July 25, 2025, experts highlight the critical challenges facing modern Bulgarian education.
The leading expert analysis reveals fundamental problems in the current educational model. The statement categorically points out that simply enrolling children in school is insufficient - it is necessary to guarantee real, applicable knowledge and skills that prepare young people for the dynamic labor market.
A key focus of the report is the discrepancy between formal educational achievements and students' actual competencies. Experts insist on introducing a modern monitoring and evaluation system that goes beyond traditional administrative indicators and focuses on real results.
The document emphasizes the need to reorient curricula towards contemporary challenges of industrial transformation. The green and digital transition require new skills that are currently poorly represented in the educational system.
Particular attention is paid to social justice in education. The ESC insists on guaranteeing equal access to quality education, especially in vulnerable communities and regions. Experts define it as unacceptable for basic skills to remain inaccessible to a significant portion of children in an EU member state.
The recommendations include active engagement of employers in the educational process - through practices, assessment, and mentorship. The goal is to create a direct link between the educational system and the labor market, which will increase the competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy.
The statement presents education as a strategic capital that can not only increase productivity but also transform entire economic sectors. This requires rethinking its role by any government with ambitions to catch up with leading European economies.
The full text of the Economic and Social Council's statement outlines a comprehensive vision for reforming Bulgarian education, placing emphasis on the quality, applicability, and social justice of knowledge.