Моят доклад от научната конференция на ЕПУ "Образование, наука, иновации" 2014 е на тема: "The Idea about Funding
Private Schools and Kindergartens in New Bulgarian Education Legislation" е публикуван на стр. 207-211.
Темата беше актуална при представянето на проекта за закон на ГЕРБ в предишния парламент, когато не се стигна до гласуване и приемане, но тя е част и от новия закон, който в момента се обсъжда в Народното събрание.
"The Idea about Funding Private Schools and Kindergartens in New Bulgarian Education Legislation"
Introduction
The educational reforms in the Bulgarian school
given the huge number of affected persons have enjoyed great public interest
and provoke serious debate both at political level and also in different
formats discussions in civil society. Attempts for change, reform and
innovation in education are reflected widely in the media – national and
regional, print and digital. They always tried to influence on public opinion
or to create one.
Object
of study is a paragraph
in the Law on pre-school and school education, which was prepared and offered by Political Party GERB in
2012-2013.
Subject
of study are the
discussions and the public reaction
to a new paragraph in the
Law on pre-school and school
education and attempting to influence management decisions regarding school and
participants – teachers and students.
The methodology
of the study includes two phases:
- Analyzing the new draft on Law on pre-school and school education;
- Analysis of public and media publications,
reflecting the attitude of the Government, Ministry of Education, Youth and Science, members on the
National Assembly, politicians, students, teachers, parents, citizens and their
organizations (initiative committees, NGOs, trade unions, parties and other
formal and informal associations) about proposed idea to fund the private
schools.
The used methods
are:
- Pedagogical thematic analysis of the new
draft on Law on pre-school and
school education;
- Problem analysis on rhetorical performances,
information media posts, comments in forums, authors articles,
press-conferences, speeches, statements, and video.
As primary sources
for gathering empirical data on public reaction were used: Internet-based
electronic editions of national and regional newspapers, websites of
organizations and institutions, personal blogs, videos from YouTube, forums,
Face book.
Key
assumption: Resistance to
change from stakeholders.
Pedagogical thematic analysis of the New Draft on Law on pre-school and school education
Two different teams from the Ministry of
Education, Youth and Science prepared two projects. First began to work in 2009
and by the autumn of 2010 was prepared and posted on the website of the
Ministry for public comment. After unofficial data by its creators have
received over 3000 comments and recommendations. In November after the change
of the Deputy Minister in charge of secondary education, which was in
September, it was decided that the work on the draft law must to stop and start
working on a new one. As a result, during the month of March 2011 was published
Concept of basic principles and innovative moments in the new draft Law on
pre-school and school education [3]. Himself a draft law was posted on the same
website in October 2012 and in a separate text are given the reasons for the
need of it. It was stated that: "The draft Law on pre-school and school
education aims to address major challenges that modern society poses Bulgarian
education. The main purpose of education can no longer be mechanical digestion
and reproduction of ready sets of knowledge. In the information age, in the
knowledge society, the main goal of education should be the development of
skills for handling complex constantly changing information and learning
methods of learning key skills and attitudes for lifelong learning."[7]
Since November 2012 began public debates at
different levels – a discussion in the Committee on Education in National
Assembly and discussions in schools, communities, professional organizations,
print and digital media, television debates, meetings, petitions, comments in
internet forums and many others.
This draft law has caused a stir public debate in
many directions in mind:
- Serious structural changes that are set in it
related to the proposed new structure of education, namely primary education
degree in two stages: primary (I – IV grade) and junior high (V – VII grade)
and secondary in two stages: first high school level (VIII – X grade) and
second high school (XI – XII grade);
- The emergence of new units in the management of
the school – Public Councils and the National Education Inspectorate;
- Terminological ambiguities – education for
preschool ages instead preparation and readiness for school;
- Funding of private education;
- The change of status of some schools such as
vocational schools who go from state to municipalities;
- The creation of a new unified school (I – X
grade);
- The closure of certain types of schools and
support units;
- The creation of community Centers for personal
development;
- Limiting the powers of school boards;
- Replacement of quantitative assessments of
quality by third grade;
- The possibility to go to the next class in the
presence of weak evaluations;
- And last but not least the introduction of
compulsory pre-school education for children of 4 years old.
The Law came into discussion in National Assembly
and parts of the texts were adopted, but the account submitted in February 2013
years resignation of the government of Boyko Borissov was not fully adopted.
In May 2013, a group of members of GERB again submitted for consideration this Law.
Simultaneously, the team of new Minister of
Education is working on a revised text of the controversial, raised many
objections and discontent. Discussions continue and when and whether it will be
passed this law stand to see.
Problem analysis on rhetorical performances, information media posts,
comments in forums, authors articles, press-conferences, speeches, statements, and video related to the idea of financing
a private education.
It's about students receive their support as the
single standard cost whether in public or private school. Since 2008, these
students only receive free textbooks.
The idea of funding private education causes mixed
reactions and presented widely on the web. The number of publications on this
topic placing it second only to publications on the topic of compulsory
education for four years. Participants in the debate by representatives of the
government, MPs from different parties, parents, representatives of NGOs,
journalists, citizens and experts.
Public discussion of the Draft Law began in 2012,
culminated in January 2013 during the discussion and adoption by the National
Assembly and continues to lead in February and March. The subject became
topical again after re-deposition of the law by a group of members of GERD at
the end of May and the two interviews on the new Minister of Education in June
and July.
The official position of the importers of GERB is
that "between 10 and 12 million leva will be released annually from the
state budget for private schools in Bulgaria, if the proposal is adopted ...
Through these means, the private schools will only finance activities for
curriculum and extra costs will continue to be paid by the parents of students
in these schools. ... Private schools in Bulgaria are 165 and kindergartens,
with the permission of the Minister of Education are about 45. The number of
students in private schools, which are now compulsory school age, is around 8000.
About 2,000 children are in private kindergartens in the country." [4] The arguments of the importers are that,
it's not a lot of money, but rather they talk for right of these children and
their parents to receive a subsidy from the state, which is given to students
in the municipal and state schools.
Desislava Boshnakova,
board member of the Steering Committee of parenting – a non-profit public
benefit to protect children's rights to equal access to education, support and
protection, protects the proposed change in the law. According to her:
"The principle of "money follows the student" seeks state
equally and equally bear the cost of the educational requirements to have all
children in Bulgarian schools. ... As a parent, the only thing I want is for my
children to receive equal treatment and equal, regardless of what schools teach
or who’s the property. Otherwise, it is
difficult to tell them that the state takes care of them and even more
difficult to bring up in respect because they have not received such – not
upheld their choice where to study." [1]
Extensive and
well-reasoned response to the question: "Why the state should not fund
private schools" gives Marian Karagiozov by presenting a number of
examples of countries that are not funded or private education or have declined
voucher system. "Argument" does not divide the children "is classical
technique to manipulate, which is based on emotion, but not on the deliberate
reflection of the situation. Why sane person would want to divide the children?
The question, however, is that not society but their parents (in most cases
fully consciously and aim precisely that) wants them separated. It’s unfair by
taxes to be supported entrepreneurial projects, as are private schools because
it contradicts the logic of the market and distorts competition because private
schools are subsidized by more sources than government. It is illogical to
argue that the rich are discriminated – as a rule they have much greater access
to educational opportunities as well as knowledge and skills how to assert
their rights. Also, the state has already indirectly support private schools
and kindergartens, with providing free textbooks and with exercise books and
other materials." [6]
"In the government
there is disagreement on the bill for schools , especially in that it provides
money from the state budget to be financed and children in private schools and
kindergartens. " – Informed by Mediapool in March 2012. [2] At a meeting of the Council of Ministers discussed the
consequences of this measure. According to Deputy Finance Minister separation
of money from the limited state resources to fund private schools is premature
and keeps quite hidden risks in terms of secondary education, and in terms of
private kindergartens, municipalities will have to look for resources to
finance them. He said:"The principle money follows the student is good. He
is a liberal approach displayed in most countries, but it must be made when the
base standard and system of secondary education provided by the State is fully
developed and all the problems are solved. Then, it must be borne in mind that
in Western practices, which have been introduced and validated these models,
when the state funded largely the fees paid by parents are minimal. While our
fee of 7-8 thousand lev, which is paid a year or a period in a private school,
do not know how they will be reduced by 1000 or 2000 lev, which the state pays
for this student. This should be guaranteed to have a truly equal access and
when a student go in a state or a private school has the same opportunity."[2] The Minister of Education, however, speak in support of
the idea, and say he is prepared to do the same when considering the law in the National Assembly.
Concern about the
consequences of envisaged changes in the law is and the "Solidarity
Bulgaria" in an open letter to the Minister of Education.
The letter refers to the inadmissibility of the financing of private education
is also expressed disagreement with the establishment of community councils as
a new control, with the passage of the professional schools at the disposal of
the municipalities and the abolition of quantitative assessments and the
ability to switch to a higher class of academic underachievement and
underperformance enshrined in Art. 122 Art. 123 project.[8]
To 7.02 2013 during the
discussion in the plenary of the National Assembly Ivelin Nikolov – MP from
Bulgarian Socialistishen Party argues that not all have private schools and
private kindergartens and warns that if the text is accepted, you will need as
citizens of Gabrovo, to pay for private schools and kindergartens in Sofia. He
warned that there are hundreds of opinions, questioning the text and referred
to the opinion of Bansko, according to which, if adopted text, private schools
will be eligible, and state and municipal - discrimination.
Stanislav Stanilov of
"Attack" criticizes the government, that this text government
violated basic principles of capitalism. "Violated and the memorandum of
the European Union , where it is said that private capital cannot be funded by
the state, and you plead just that", and set the text as discriminatory.
Discrimination are public schools because private schools charge fees, and
receive state funding, he said.
Vanya Dobreva – MP from
Bulgarian Socialistishen Party identify text as an act of voluntarism and
social irresponsibility. In her introduction of state funding for private
schools and kindergartens is unfounded.
Veselin Metodiev – MP from The Blue Coalition argued that we have over 3000 public
schools and 100 - private, which he said was a drop in the sea. "You
cannot cross out private initiative in education. Who needs that? "He said
and urged developed regulations "money follows the student" to be
followed. According Metodiev courage importers of this text is discouraged by
the lack of courage in the Treasury.
Yanaky Stoilov – MP from
Bulgarian Socialistishen Party say that according to principle "money
follows the student" should be corrected, as it leads to distortions.
"Access to education should be equal, "he categorically warned that
the drop in the sea can become "drop of tar".
GERB appealed text to be
read correctly before lawmakers vote to think about Bulgarian child. "It
does not matter where you train. It has to get money for their education,
"stressed GERB and promised that he would not be harmed children from
small towns.
During the parliamentary discussion on this paragraph
of the law are clearly distinguish left from right positions. BSP MPs are
opposed, while right wing supported the idea. Nationalist and populist party
"Attack" is also against the financing of private schools and
kindergartens. GERB defend its proposal with appeals for equality, which also
sounded populist.
Despite opposition from civil society organizations and
dissent on the part of the opposition in the
National Assembly, the controversial Article 10, which states that students in private
schools and private kindergartens will receive government subsidies supported
by 73 MPs, while 12 voted "against". [5]
Final
conclusions
The results of the analyzes and conclusions allow us
to say that the hypothesis for the resistance to change on the part of
stakeholders convincingly proved by many arguments and facts. On the other hand
it can be a global conclusion that for educational reform can proceed if and
only if there are positive attitudes formed and agreed upon by all stakeholders
and actors in civil society.
Undoubtedly, the Bulgarian school is in need of legal
prerequisites for its optimization and innovation, but they will not happen, if
not previously provided support inside and outside. And as most conducive to
the formation of public opinion among large groups of people in recent years
have digital media and social network. Their influence can no longer be ignored
by those in power, and should be used for the purposes of information and
communication campaigns in support of education reform, legislation and
innovation in educational practice. Opinions and recommendations of teachers,
educational managers and experts have to be appreciated and be a base for
agreement on the issue of the importance of education to achieve national
prosperity and receiving international recognition in the scale of European
education.
References
Във връзка с отбелязване на 16
ноември – Международния ден на толерантността от 14 до 16,30 часа с любезното домакинство на Представителството на
Европейската комисия в България на ул. „Раковска“ № 124 се проведе дискусия на тема: „БРЕМЕТО НА ТОЛЕРАНТНОСТТА В
КОНТЕКСТА НА ЕВРОПЕЙСКИТЕ ЦЕННОСТИ.“
В дискусията взеха
участие над 30 човека, представители на различни неправителствени организации,
университетски преподаватели и студенти, учители и възпитатели, психолози,
философи, социални работници и др. Те споделиха своите мисли и чувства в рамките
на трите панела:
- Толерантността към мигрантите и бежанците с водещ проф. д-р Анна
Кръстева, ръководител на Центъра за европейски бежански, миграционни и
етнически изследвания на Нов български университет;
