In September, we will continue publishing the desk research results focusing on revealing interesting trends, regulations and other schools realities on entrepreneurship curricula and educational programs. Today we talk about Bulgaria, and more specific, the Blagoevgrad district.

Entrepreneurial education

Entrepreneurial education, as part of curriculum, is taught in 21 out of the 45 schools from the Blagoevgrad district.  In the vocational schools, the subject "Entrepreneurship" is taught 36 hours a year or 1 school hour per week. If the subject of "Entrepreneurship" is chosen as part of the extended vocational training, then it can be studied with more classes as well, building on the knowledge gained from the general training. This option is particularly possible in economics high schools where the school has chosen a curriculum without intensive and non-advanced foreign language study.

In these syllabuses, there are additional hours of advanced training that enable vocational high schools to choose subjects from the general, sectoral, and specific training to upgrade the knowledge of the students on specific subjects.

Introducing a new learning system to existing curricula

There are 3 opportunities for introducing a new learning system: through innovative schools, through a compulsory curriculum determined by the Ministry of Education and Science and through a school’s decision for additional selected training.   

A school can apply for a status of an innovative school implementing innovated system and approach and must be evaluated and approved by the Ministry of Education and Science (MES).

For the compulsory curriculum each subject, according to the Preschool and School Education Act, must comply with the Standard for the Curriculum and the State Educational Standard for General Education. The requirements for the learning outcomes at the end of each stage of education determines the objectives, content and characteristics of general education; the  general education subjects and the requirements for the learning outcomes of each general education training subject to the acquisition of general education. The Standard for the Curriculum and the State Educational Standard for General Education is developed by experts, discussed by working groups of relevant teachers, appointed by the Minister. Further on, the results are published for the public discussion on the official site of MES, the Minister issues a draft Guidance and the Council of Ministers approve the official Guidance of Education.

For the third option (as it is by school desire only) the school principal approves the curricula, but must allocate financing.

Existing entrepreneurship programs & initiatives

The following entrepreneurial subjects exist outside the curriculum: Entrepreneurship Week; Innovation Camp; Manager for one day; Visiting businesses and getting to know the work of successful entrepreneurs; Learning Company; World Money Week; Banks in Action; Professions of the Future; the "Practical Finance" Program; Financial Literacy and Success Skills Club.

In fact, there is always the need for innovation, especially in the field of developing entrepreneurial competencies for high school students. Of course, the InnoSchool initiative and the online element, will contribute to this purpose.