A national conference dedicated to the competency-based approach and social-emotional support for students and teachers in crisis conditions was held with the participation of leading experts in the field of education, university professors, and heads of Regional Education Directorates. The event, organized by the National Center for the Professional Development of Pedagogical Specialists (NCPDPS), was opened by the outgoing Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Natalia Mikhalevska.

The forum reflected on the lessons learned from the COVID crisis and the need for qualified personnel capable of working in such situations. The importance of emotional learning for personality development and the formation of values was emphasized.

The chairman of the Union of Bulgarian Teachers to KNSB, Dr. Yanka Takeva, emphasized the significance of the teaching profession. The director of the Institute of Education, Prof. Galin Tsokov, defined the opportunities for recovery after crises as key competencies. He linked these skills to the development of Education 5.0, focusing on qualified teachers.

The director of NCPDPS, Dimitar Asenov, presented the good results from the qualification course under the National Program “Security”. The conference was also attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Pedagogy at Sofia University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vanya Bozhilova, Prof. Milen Zamfirov, Prof. Todor Tanev, and other prominent representatives of academic circles and educational institutions.