57,000 First-Graders for 2025/2026: Renovations, Teachers, and Reforms

New School Year: Nearly 57,000 First-Graders Expected in 2025/2026

The expected number of first-graders for the new 2025/2026 school year is around 57,000. This was announced by the Minister of Education and Science on Bulgarian National Radio. The figure is lower than in previous years, reflecting the overall demographic trends in the country. At the same time, the ministry"s press center announced a slightly higher forecast yesterday " over 55,000 first-graders. Enrollment is still underway, with the so-called Mechanism for the Coverage of Children in the Educational System being active, aiming to include all children in school.

The minister also highlighted some positive trends related to demographic processes. There is a decrease in outward migration, and more and more children of Roma origin are integrating into the education system, with Eurostat data confirming an increase in secondary school graduates from this group. The total number of students from first to twelfth grade for the new school year is expected to be around 716,000.

Large-Scale Renovations in Schools and Kindergartens

This year, the ministry reported a significant increase in renovation work in schools and kindergartens. Nearly 1500 educational institutions are undergoing improvements, financed by increased funds. The project to create a modern STEM environment is also gaining momentum, with STEM centers and modernized natural science classrooms being built. The Recovery and Resilience Plan provides for comprehensive renovations in 50 schools. The program also includes renovations of student and pupil dormitories, as well as a program for the construction and extension of schools and kindergartens. The goal for schools is to transition to a single-shift learning system, and for kindergartens " to overcome the shortage of places. The ministry also announced a program for the repair and construction of gymnasiums and sports grounds. Despite the scale of the renovation work, about 250 of them will not be completed by the beginning of the school year, but the ministry assured that temporary accommodation has been provided for all schools in need, with some starting the school year in other buildings, even in three, in individual cases. The shortage of places in student dormitories is explained by the renovations in 30 of them, with the minister pointing out that improvements in the material and technical base are impossible without these renovations.

Reduction of Two-Shift Schools and Later Start of School Hours

Significant attention has been paid to the transition from a two-shift to a single-shift learning system in schools. The number of schools operating on two shifts has decreased from 360 eight years ago to 226 currently, with further reduction to 180 planned after the implementation of a school construction and extension program. This is the second program of this kind. The reduction of the two-shift system is also due to the regulation of student admissions to schools. The minister emphasized that studies show that a later start to school hours leads to increased motivation and better educational results. The biggest problem remains in Sofia, where over 80 schools operate on two shifts. The lack of land is a major obstacle, but the ministry is working to resolve this issue. The minister has called on schools to hold talks with parents and teachers about the possibility of a later start to school hours, but this is impossible for schools operating on two shifts. Some single-shift schools have already introduced a later start to school hours.

Shortage of Teachers in Certain Subjects

In recent years, there has been an increase in pedagogical specialists providing support to students " resource teachers, speech therapists, psychologists, and educational counselors. The expansion of the full-day organization of education requires the engagement of between 11,000 and 12,000 teachers annually. The minister stressed that the decision to increase teacher salaries has led to an overdemand for teaching positions in some subjects. There is no longer a shortage of teachers in primary and pre-school education, while there are no candidates for a physics position, and only a few for mathematics and chemistry. Interest in the physical education teacher position is high " an average of 30 applicants per position.

Curriculum Reform

The curricula are open to change, with an emphasis on optimizing the time for skill development, reducing rushing through the material, and moving from memorization to understanding. Another main direction is to increase the educational function of all subjects, with the programs being more framework and relaxed. Visions for all curricula will soon be proposed for discussion.

Ban on Mobile Phones in Class

The ban on the use of mobile phones in class remains in effect, but it is acknowledged that its implementation is hampered by the lack of an effective system of sanctions. Amendments to the Pre-school and School Education Act provide for the use of mobile phones for educational purposes, medical needs, and emergencies.

The Subject "Virtues and Religions"

The new subject "Virtues and Religions" will include a class on upbringing, while religion will be an optional subject. The minister expressed concern that some liberal organizations continue to wage an ideological battle against religion in school. He stressed that no child will be forced to study religion, but there will be a class on virtues, including elements of religion, as practiced in other European countries.

Sanctions for Poor Discipline

The ministry is not abandoning measures to sanction poor discipline, but it is abandoning the discipline grade. It proposes increasing sanctions and making them easier to impose, with more minor sanctions, such as a warning about moving to another class.

Integral Exams from the National Assessment

The minister pointed out two reasons for private lessons: the parents" desire to give their children an advantage in applying, and the accumulated deficits that teachers fail to compensate for. In the exam after the seventh grade, the first reason dominates. The mathematics exam will include basic concepts from the natural sciences, without requiring definitions, physical laws, or chemical formulas. The ministry will publish sample problems on its website to show that they are easy and that private lessons are not necessary.