The Revival Party has expressed serious criticism of the Ministry of Education and Science in connection with the recently held competitions for school principals. According to a statement read out by MP Angel Yanchev in the National Assembly, nearly two-thirds of the new principals were appointed to temporary positions even before the competitions, which the party says calls into question the transparency of the process.
Criticism of the competitions
„60% of the directors were chosen in advance by the education authorities,“ the Revival party said. Of the 254 newly appointed principals, they said, 153 were already interim, and only 101 of the new principals had not previously held the position.
„Only 43 Bulgarian teachers became school principals after these competitions,“ they said in the declaration.
Accusations of political dependence
In addition to the criticism of the lack of transparency, „Revival“ expresses concerns about the involvement of organisations such as Together in Class in the preparation of candidates for the headteacher positions. According to the party, the Ministry of Education and Science is under the influence of the America for Bulgaria Foundation, stating that the political wing of the foundation, „We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria“, has a direct influence on the management of the ministry.
„The Ministry of Education and Science is directly managed by the America for Bulgaria Foundation, and its political wing – „We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria“, in collaboration with the captured and subordinated state administration appointed by GERB, supports it,“ the statement added.
„Gesheft to take over Bulgarian schools“
In the declaration, „Revival“ makes grave accusations that under the guise of philanthropy, Bulgarian schools are being taken over in order to „cleanse Bulgarian memory and traditions“. The party claims that American educational programs and software are being imposed on the Bulgarian education system, which they say is part of a larger plan to subjugate Bulgarian education to foreign interests.
„A hostile buyout of Bulgarian schools is taking place in order to purge Bulgarian memory and traditions,“ the Revival group said. They also warn that in the process Bulgarian schools will be reduced to „electronic toyshops“ and that the aim is to deprive students of knowledge and identity.
Revival’s declaration has sparked considerable interest and debate about the transparency of school director competitions and the influence of external organisations on the education system in Bulgaria. The issue is expected to be discussed at a higher level in the context of the upcoming changes in education policy.
