Professional High School in Haskovo - Center for High Achievements in STEM Education

Deputy Minister of Education Emilia Lazarova met with teaching professionals from the Vocational High School of Wood Processing and Construction "Tsar Ivan Asen II" in Haskovo to discuss the changes proposed by the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) to the Pre-School and School Education Act. The main focus of the discussion was the need to strengthen the preparation in mathematics and natural sciences, as well as the language integration of children whose mother tongue is not Bulgarian.

Another important topic was the strengthening of the mechanism for student coverage, teacher qualifications, and their career development. The possibilities for improving discipline in school through the proposed new sanctions were also discussed.

Teachers from the Vocational High School, led by Director Margarita Topalova, provided opinions and proposals related to changes in vocational education and the creation of future national exam programs and state educational standards for professions. They have ideas for synchronizing the curricula of general education and the subjects of vocational training.

The Vocational High School in Haskovo provides quality training oriented towards the real needs of the economy in the region and the country. The training is conducted in modern and in-demand professions and specialties, such as System Programming, Construction and Architecture, Furniture Production, Forestry and Hunting, Landscape Construction and Landscaping, Real Estate, Geodesy, Graphic Design, and Interior Design - all classified as STEM professions.

Deputy Minister Lazarova also inspected the construction site of the future Center for High Achievements, for which the high school was selected among 28 vocational schools in the country. A new building with modern classrooms, laboratories (in geodesy, forestry mechanization, construction materials, and embedded control systems), a design studio, and a CNC workshop is being built. High-tech machines, devices, and software will be implemented. The Center will shape functionally literate, innovative, and responsible young people, motivated for development in priority economic sectors.

The high school already has a STEM center, which includes a Center for Natural Sciences, Research and Innovation, with laboratories for physics, chemistry, biology, and biotechnology (with hydroponic and aeroponic systems), a Center for Digital Creators - robotics and cyber-physical systems, as well as a hall for presentations, discussions, and teamwork.

The meeting of Deputy Minister Lazarova with the teachers was also attended by the Head of the Regional Education Inspectorate in Haskovo, Silvia Kasabova.