SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION Scope of the Analysis 7 Structure/Content of Analysis 7 Methodology 8 Working Definitions 8 SECTION 2. OVERVIEW OF THE REGULATORY ACTS REGARDING FORMAL ADULT EDUCATION AND TRAINING 10 Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria 10 Labour Code 11 Public Education Act 11 Law on Vocational Training and Education 12 Law on Execution of Penalties and Detention 12 The Level of Education, General Education Minimum and Curriculum Act 13 Regulations to Enforce the Public Education Act 13 Regulations 13 IMPORTANCE of the Regulatory Acts to Improve the Quality and Effectiveness of Adult Education and Training within the Framework of the Formal Educational System 13 CONCLUSIONS 14 RECOMMENDATIONS 14 SECTION 3. OF ADULT EDUCATION AND TRAINING WITHIN THE FORMAL EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM – KEY INDICATORS 15 3.1. Educational demographics of the population aged 25 – 64 16 3.2. Involvement of Adults in Formal Education and Level of Education by Degrees 18 3.2.1. Working Definition of Formal School Adult Education 18 3.2.2. Adult Students by Educational Level and Vocational Degree 18 З.2.2.1. Adult Students in Elementary Education (I - IV grade) 19 Adult Students in Lower Secondary School (V - VIII grade) 21
4.2. Types of Schools according to Curriculum Content 45 4.3. Types of Institutions for Adult Education and Training within the Educational System 46 CONCLUSIONS 47 SECTION 5. FORMS OF EDUCATION BY TYPE. SCHOOL CURRICULA AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR ADULT EDUCATION AND TRAINING WITH THE FRAMEWORK OF THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM 48 5.1 Education by Type. 48 5.2 Framework Programs for Adults. 49 5.3 SCHOOL CURRICULA AND PROGRAMS. 49 Section 6: TEACHERS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK FORMAL EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM FOR ADULT EDUCATION 50 6.1 Teaching Staff within the Public Education System 6.2 Characteristics of educators 50 50 6.3. Legal framework 50 6.4 Trends 6.5 Measures Implemented to Increase the Prestige That the Teaching Profession Brings. Teacher Training Financing Sources for Qualification Forms CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Section 7: FINANCING FOR FORMAL SCHOOL EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR ADULTS 51 52 52 52 53 54 7.1 Finance schemes 7.1.1 Public funding 54 54 55 56 56 56 57
Adults in this number 464 480 756 737 679 Of them: evening courses 351 328 436 403 337 Part-time and self-learning 113 152 320 334 342 Secondary education under programs for II VCC - number 7677 7498 8288 8903 7400 Adults in this number 159 260 390 635 962 Of them: evening courses 57 41 126 281 361 Part time or self-learning 102 219 264 354 601 Completed paid vocational training for adults – III VCC – number 22142 20473 19963 Adults in this number 306 320 380 503 534 Of them: evening courses 0 22 13 84 55 Part-time or self-learning 306 398 367 419 479
secondary education or vocational competence certificate. Under conditions specified by the Law on Vocational Training and Education, Public Education Act, The Level of Education, General Education Minimum and Curriculum Act, it ensures the completion of elementary education or grades of secondary education. Vocational training – ensures vocational training or training related to some aspect of the profession and improved professional competencies. It includes: Initial vocational training – to obtain initial vocational certificate or certificate related to some aspect of one’s profession; Continuous vocational training – for improved professional competencies or competencies related to some aspect of one’s profession. The amendments and supplements to the Law on Professional Education and Training (State Gazette, Issue 61, 2014) introduced opportunities for: Work-based education (dual education): a form of partnership between a vocational school, vocational high school, vocational college or vocational education center and one or more employers that includes practical training in real work environment and training in a vocational school, vocational high school, vocational college or vocational education center; Validation of vocational skills, knowledge, and competencies related to profession or aspects of profession through informal education or self-learning with the goal of accessing vocational training and to facilitate access to the labor market. General education schools and high schools introduce vocational training classes in places with no vocational schools. Types of Institutions for Adult Education and Training within the Educational System To complete educational level – set out in the Public Education Act: Elementary schools - from I to IV grade inclusive, initial stage of elementary education or literacy course; secondary schools – from V to VIII grade inclusive, of elementary education or literacy course; Elementary schools – from I to VIII inclusive, of elementary education or literacy course; High schools – from IX to XII inclusive, of high school or literacy course; Profiled high schools – secondary school classes, secondary education, literacy courses; General education schools, from I to XII grade inclusive, of elementary or secondary education, from elementary or secondary education or literacy course; Evening schools – to complete elementary or secondary education and/or vocational training for persons aged 16 or older in compliance with the Law on Encouragement of Employment; Evening classes for adults – in general education schools, high schools, and vocational high schools.