Education Reforms in Bulgaria: Discipline, Languages, and the End of Phones in Classrooms

The reforms aim to boost Bulgaria’s position in international rankings like PISA and align with best practices seen in EU countries such as France (phone ban) and Estonia (strong digital and language education).

New Subject: Civic Education and Media Literacy

Designed to build critical thinking and civic awareness, the subject could empower students against misinformation. But without well-trained teachers it risks becoming a mere formality.

Phone Ban

The mobile phone ban is expected to improve discipline and focus. France’s experience shows benefits, but enforcement is often tricky. In Bulgaria, the challenge will be managing parental and student resistance.

Enhanced Language Training

More hours in English and a second Western European language aim to strengthen global competitiveness. Optimistically, test scores rise quickly; pessimistically, teacher shortages may undermine progress.

Scenarios

Realistic: Modest improvement in classroom discipline, gradual progress in language test performance.

Optimistic: Strong impact on student focus and civic engagement; Bulgarian students gain EU-level competitiveness.

Pessimistic: Phone ban widely ignored, new subject formalized, language skills stagnant due to weak teacher supply.

Conclusion

The reforms are a milestone for Bulgarian education. Success depends less on laws themselves and more on effective execution in classrooms.

Disclaimer: This article is an analytical review by BurgasMedia. Conclusions are hypothetical, not forecasts. The editorial is not liable for future differences and urges readers to rely on multiple verified sources.