Valchev before the Committee: Education, Social Networks, and Student Camps

Education and Science Minister Krasimir Valchev took part in the meeting of the Education and Science Committee in the National Assembly today. At the meeting, he answered a number of topical questions from Members of Parliament, reflecting important aspects of the educational system and the ministry's policies.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the question raised by MP Elisaveta Belobradova from the parliamentary group of "We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria" regarding the discrepancies in the period of accessibility of kindergartens and primary schools during the summer. Minister Valchev replied that the imbalance in the social function between these institutions is a problem that has existed for decades, since the creation of the mass education system.

Social Networks and Children

Another key topic discussed at the meeting was the use of social networks by children. The debate on this topic, Minister Valchev emphasized, is being conducted in many countries. As an example, it was pointed out that Australia has already imposed a ban on the use of social networks, and discussions on the issue are taking place in France, Spain, Norway, Greece and Denmark. The Minister noted that Denmark, which currently holds the presidency of the European Union, is the initiator of a pan-European initiative to restrict the use of social networks by children and young people under the age of 15. In this regard, a discussion will be organized on November 20 in cooperation with the committees on education, healthcare and children's issues and demographic policy. Representatives of various interested parties – doctors, psychologists, representatives of the Danish presidency and technology companies will be invited to participate in it, the Education Minister added.

School Camps

During the meeting, the issue of the state of the school camps was also discussed. In response to the question of MP Petya Tsankova from the parliamentary group of "BSP – United Left" regarding these camps and the vision for their management, Minister Valchev explained that the non-working bases of the state-owned enterprise "Student recreation and sport" are being transferred to the municipalities when interest is declared. He also recalled that school camps have played an important role as the main bases for summer vacations and sports for students for more than 35 years. The minister stressed that the reasons for their deteriorated condition have accumulated over decades.

In response to a question from MP Fatima Yildis from the parliamentary group of "DPS - New Beginning" regarding assessment in a digital environment, Minister Valchev emphasized the undeniable advantages of this approach. She asked what the conclusions are from the national entrance levels held in the past and present year, respectively, in natural sciences and in mathematics in a digital environment, and whether the Ministry of Education and Science is considering opportunities to apply this format to other types of exams.

Data on the admission of students to higher education institutions were also presented at the meeting. In response to a question from Daniela Dzheneva from the GERB-SDS parliamentary group, Minister Valchev shared positive data, especially in engineering and technical professional fields. A 10% increase in students in general engineering was noted, as well as growth in admissions in the professional field of "Electronics and Automation". The separation of hydro-engineering from the professional field of "Architecture, construction and geodesy" due to an acute shortage of hydro-engineers and road-construction engineers was mentioned as good news.

Minister Krasimir Valchev also answered a question from Ivaylo Papov from the parliamentary group of "Revival" about the popularization of the euro in schools, as well as a question from the chairman of the education committee, Prof. Andrey Chorbov from the parliamentary group of "There is Such a People" for dormitories for students from BAS. In conclusion, it was emphasized that the commission has created a working group that will accept proposals on the Law on Preschool and School Education.