The new generation of Bulgarian children and young people requires new approaches to teaching. This poses a number of challenges for Bulgarian teachers. Most of the training programs still lack tasks that develop creative thinking, lack tasks for teamwork, critical thinking and problem solving. In order to change this, the thinking of teachers must first be changed, which will also change the quality of the learning process. A good example is the number of private schools that attract more creative and young teachers and already use new technologies and didactic approaches to learning. This was stated by Dr. Milena Angelova, Secretary General of the Association of Industrial Capital in Bulgaria (BICA) during the online forum “Creativity of teachers as a contribution to the development of education in Bulgaria”, organized by the Bulgarian Association of Private Schools (BACHU) .

“For years, education was not among the priority policies of any government. This led to some of the worst results for Bulgaria – last place in the EU in terms of overall results of students in the international test PISA 2018. Today’s children do not perceive information through traditional channels. They do not want to study in the traditional way, they do not want to sit for hours on the school bench and memorize dates, numbers, facts, they want to experience them. Therefore, we must overcome the traditional didactic approaches to communication and support teachers to develop their potential in the digital age, “added Dr. Angelova.

Dr. Angelova was adamant that upgrading and improving the skills and creative thinking of teachers is especially important in a period of pandemic and the rapid introduction of new technologies. According to her, Bulgarian education should not be divided into private and public, as every teacher should be supported, motivated and free enough to apply more creativity in their work.

She stated that BICA will continue to support the activities and goals of BACHU for greater recognition of private education and its acceptance as an indispensable and integral part of the entire education system. “We believe that Bulgarian private schools have the right and should be supported by the new EU programs, both through the Recovery and Sustainability Plan and through the Education Program as an eligible beneficiary,” she added.

Dr. Milena Angelova reminded that 5 years ago BICA has analyzed a number of problems in education and on this basis the organization has proposed specific measures and policies for the entire education system. According to Dr. Angelova, thanks to these measures to date there is increased interest in secondary vocational education – over 50%, with the greatest interest in technical specialties. And with the recently adopted amendments to the Higher Education Act, a number of proposals of the Association have been included to facilitate the transition from education to employment and improve the quality of higher education through closer links with business.

The forum is the first in a series of jubilee events dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Bulgarian Association of Private Schools. During the event, the opportunities for improving the quality of the learning process, improving the qualifications and skills of teachers, measuring the results achieved and others were commented.

In a video released by U.S. Naval Forces Europe, one of the Russian planes is shown flying an estimated 500 meters (1,640 feet) off the side of the ship at an altitude of 600 feet.

The Navy said it would not have released the video if it didn’t want to publicly counter the Russian reports.

The incident comes as Defense Secretary Ash Carter warned about the danger of a summer offensive by pro-Russian separatists, who have seized Crimea from Ukraine.

“We are looking at Russian activities, at the activities of separatists. It’s a serious possibility and a serious danger,” Carter told the BBC in an interview published Monday.