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The first five months of this year will be key for the development of Bulgarian education. Not because of political changes and the expected changes of education ministers, but because of the fact that, according to the new educational law the end of May 2017 is the deadline of identifying which primary schools will be transformed into "unified" (ie teaching students to 10 grade), and which schools will be "innovative". United and innovative schools have the potential to modernize Bulgarian education to a much greater extent than any education minister. Therefore months to the end of May 2017 will be really important.

Center "Amalipe" was one of the generators of the idea of "Unified Schools" as a chance to increase the number of boys and girls from rural areas having secondary education. The organization assists dozens of primary schools included in its network, to transform them into unified ones. So we often receive inquiries on specific problems faced by schools in this important transformation. Below, you will find some answers to frequently asked questions about unified schools. They are consulted with lawyers and colleagues from the Committee on Education and Science to the National Assembly and the Ministry of Education.

1. When is the deadline?: The Law on pre-school and school education allows transformation of existing primary schools in unified ones, ie training students from 1st to 10th grade. The question period of the legislature to happen in a relatively simple procedure is May 31, 2017. Of course, such a transformation will be possible in the coming years, as well, according the requirements of Chapter 18 of LPSE and standard for institutions.

Art. 8, para. 3 of the Transitional and Final Provisions of LPSE states: "Proposals to transform the municipal primary schools under Article 26, paragraph 1, item 3 of the repealed Law on Public Education in schools of art. 38, para. 1 pt. 1 of this Act may be made during the year, but no later than May 31, 2017. After this deadline,  proposals are submitted according the deadline, given in Chapter Eighteen"

2. Who decides? The municipal council offers, but the order is issued by the Minister of Education. Opinion of the regional department of education is also needed, but it has no binding effect: opinion may be negative, but it does not stop the decision of the Municipal Council.

3. Can RDE stop the transformation of primary school into unified one? No. The law does not give such powers to RDE and they have no such function. Paragraph 4 of Art. 8 of the Transitional and Final Provisions of LPSE says "found by the entry into force of this Act primary schools according art. 26, para. 1, item 3 of the repealed Law on Public Education can be converted into unified schools of art. 38, para. 1, p. 4 of this law after analysis and opinion of the regional department of education and decision of the relevant municipal council." 

Note: RDE-s are required to give 'analysis and opinion, not "agree / favorable opinion"! I.e. opinion could be negative or neutral, but it does not stop the decision of the City Council.

The idea to require analysis and opinion of RDE-s was offered between first and second reading of LPSE of school directors (including forums organized by the Center "Amalipe") worried about "political personnel policy at the local level." As a defense mechanism MPs included RDE, with a view to offering schools that are missed by municipalities, not to halt the proposed municipal schools.

4. Are the criteria for unified schools, that are currently distributed by RDE, obligatory? No, they are indicative and probably will be changed. LPSE did not introduce restrictions for primary schools, which can be transformed into unified ones.

Distributed by RDE criteria are indicative and not final. Currently working group involving experts from the Ministry of Education and the National Association of Municipalities discuss the indicative criteria. They are expected to be finalized during the next meeting of the working group. Even finalized, these criteria are indicative and not binding. The restructuring of the school network is primarily local government rather than the Ministry of Education. The criteria will be offered to municipalities that will take "difficult decision" by the respective municipal councils. Currently discussed criteria for unified schools are extremely restrictive and would cancel the idea of setting up such schools. It is unlikely that they will be adopted by municipalities and the National Association of Municipalities. Center "Amalipe" will also advocate for their significant relief.

5. Is it possible for a unified school to offer vocational education? Yes, first degree of professional qualification or part of proffession.

The possibility of vocational education in the Unified schools is key, but it would need teachers and facilities. The easiest way to meet these challenges is to sign partnership agreements "unified school - vocational school", so teachers of certain vocational school will lead classes for first degree of professional qualification in the unified school, then students will probably continue 11th grade in the same vocational school. I.e. so will both schools benefit. 

Note: This does not conflict with Art. 144, para. 1 pt. 3 of LPSE "In high school, as well as in unified school, may be approved state plan for admission for training classes for professional qualification under the following conditions:

3. ... if there is no other school in the municipality, which offer the same training". The word used is "training" rather than "proffession". Unified School offers training in first degree and vocational school - training in the third degree of professional qualification. Even if it comes to the same profession, the training offered is different, ie the requirement of Art. 144, para. 1 pt. 3 of LPSE is met. Moreover - this is a real prerequisite students from the integrated school to continue into a second high school stage.

Development of unified schools is a way to detain in classrooms more young people from small towns. Also - a way of improving the quality of education and the attractiveness of schools there. This process is particularly important for the settlements, inhabitted by more conservative groups of Roma and other minorities, for which education - especially for girls - is acceptable when it is provided in the locality in which they live. Given that the Bulgarian economy has increasingly acute need for skilled labor, and our society needs educated citizens, the development of unified schools is a key national objective!