The Committee on Education and Science in the National Assembly discussed, during a first reading, 13 draft laws aimed at amending the Pre-school and School Education Act (ZPUO). These initiatives, submitted by various parliamentary groups between May and September, include proposals for language integration and religious education.

One of the central themes is the introduction of a new subject, "Virtues and Religions." According to the draft law dated July 23, submitted by Dimitar Zdravkov and representatives of "Progressive Bulgaria," the subject will be taught through alternative programs. These may include elements of denominational instruction (with an emphasis on Orthodoxy or Islam) or may be non-denominational (focusing on ethics and civic education). The choice of program will be made by the student or their parents, with the clarification that no grades will be assigned for this subject. The subject is intended to be introduced gradually, starting from the first grade in the 2028/2029 school year. The same group also proposes a new form of language support in the form of a preparatory language class to be held prior to entering the first grade.

Similar proposals for value-oriented education are coming from other political forces. The draft law from May 7, submitted by Kostadin Kostadinov and representatives of "Vazrazhdane," also proposes a "Virtues and Religions" subject to ensure systemic training for value formation. The document states that Orthodoxy is a traditional faith according to the Constitution and its study is an educational necessity, while simultaneously proposing alternative programs to maintain the secular character of education and avoid indoctrination. On the other hand, Nikolay Denkov and representatives of "We Continue the Change" proposed, on July 27, the creation of a subject called "Virtues and Values." This subject is designed to be general education and non-denominational, focusing on moral, cultural, and civic development, where knowledge of religions is viewed as part of the spiritual and historical heritage of humanity, in accordance with the principles of a secular state and freedom of conscience.

Technological progress is also a key point in the discussions. In the draft law dated July 27, submitted by Nikolay Denkov and "We Continue the Change," it is noted that generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems are already being used by students, teachers, and parents, but the legislation lacks a comprehensive regulatory framework. It is proposed to integrate AI competencies into the existing system without creating a new subject. In another project from the same group dated June 9, emphasis is placed on the need for ethical, safe, and educationally-oriented use of AI, highlighting the importance of personal data protection and personalized approaches. Parallel to this, Elisaveta Belobradova and representatives of "Democratic Bulgaria" (a project from July 22) propose a strategic framework for digitalization that includes media literacy, critical thinking, and training for working with modern technologies, placing early childhood development as a national priority.

The draft laws submitted by GERB-SDS propose broad changes to the pedagogical and administrative model. On September 3, Krasimir Valchev and a group of representatives proposed strengthening the educational function in schools and expanding access to religious programs through a pluralistic approach with elective alternative programs. Another document from September 3 proposes the introduction of a "teacher-methodologist" status—the best specialists in their respective fields, who would be assigned additional functions in methodological support, as well as the regulation of the status of basic teachers. The same Valchev and a group of representatives, in a project from June 3, emphasize that language integration is critical, as many students who do not possess sufficient proficiency in the Bulgarian language have poor results, leading to demotivation and dropping out of the system.

In the field of career guidance, the draft law from July 15, submitted by Krasimir Valchev and GERB-SDS, aims to create a National Career Center. This is a necessity because the current model is fragmented—career counselors are often limited only to regional cities, are not pedagogical specialists, and their remuneration lags behind that of teachers. The creation of a unified state structure will ensure a sustainable status for counselors as pedagogical specialists and will allow for the implementation of a national policy aligned with the labor market.

Changes in the education system will directly impact the learning process and program choices for children in Burgas and the region.

Other important initiatives include:

  • Improving inclusive education (a project from June 25, submitted by Yordanka Fandakova and GERB-SDS), which provides for the introduction of a special education teacher and a psychologist as supporting specialists outside of resource support teams, to better support children with special educational needs.
  • Reforms in school management (a project from July 22, submitted by "Democratic Bulgaria"), which proposes introducing a four-year term limit for the position of "director" and limiting the possibility of serving more than two consecutive terms.
  • Regulation of nurseries and kindergartens (a project from July 22, "Democratic Bulgaria"), through which municipal councils would be able to determine a visitation fee for the period from June 1 to September 14.
  • Regulatory framework for the figure of the educational mediator (a project from July 22, "Democratic Bulgaria").