Bulgaria education system faces reform after poor PISA results

Bulgaria is facing a crisis in its education system following catastrophic PISA literacy results, which placed the country at the bottom of the EU in reading, mathematics, and science. Analysts and educators point to outdated curricula, overloaded textbooks, and a teaching tradition that prioritizes rote memorization over critical thinking and curiosity.

Education Minister Georgi Valchev acknowledged that the educational process has become overly formalized and lacks meaningful action. To address these issues, the ministry is considering new measures, including a system of rewards and sanctions for student behavior. This includes the introduction of a personal development card to track discipline and social skills, as well as the creation of a new role: a specialist in personal development or an educator focused on student upbringing.

Discipline remains a fundamental challenge, with PISA data showing that 41% of students report discipline issues among their peers and approximately 45% have missed classes in recent weeks.