National Strategy for Lifelong Learning for the period Bulgaria May 2010, Amsterdam

Strategic pillars of the national Lifelong learning strategy EU key strategic documents The commitments taken within the EU processes – Bologna and Copenhagen The EC Lifelong learning program The national programs serving the allocation of the Structural Funds The National strategy for continuing training ( ) National reforms in education, training and employment

The LLL Strategy is based on comprehensiveness The Bulgaria’s Strategy for LLL is directed to establish: Long-term decision guidelines in education and training for the government Unified direction of the goals and efforts of all institutions, organizations, professional sectors, social groups and individuals

Bulgaria’s LLL Strategy conceptual framework Definition of Lifelong learning Strategy vision and objective Principles Participants in Lifelong learning

LLL orientation of general school education Strategic objectives: enhancing school and learning attractiveness, instruments for recognition of NF learning, strengthening the trust in the school system, accent on key competences, digitalization of school process where suitable, special care to special children (disabled or talanted), teacher qualification, career guidance

LLL orientation of vocational education and training Strategic objectives: enhancing VET attractiveness, practically oriented training, participation of business and industry representatives, transition to and from VET, openness to broader scope of qualifications

LLL orientation of higher education Strategic objectives: enhancing student participation in HE, partnership with business and industry, transferable skills in higher education, instruments of transparency, recognition and mobility, ICT, quality assurance

LLL orientation of adult learning Strategic objectives: quality continuing training for everyone in the labour market, systematic development of key competencies, orientation and guidance, alternative education for early school leavers, different forms of education delivery, shared financial responsibility

Major achievements in planned strategic actions The access to education and training has been facilitated through legislation in all sectors National information system for demand and supply of professional training National register for teacher qualification training Universities have established closer links with professional schools providing qualification upgrading to teachers Links with parents and NGO’s working in the field of education gained high quality

Major achievements in planned strategic actions Business representative of respective professional areas participate in developing programs and final examinations in the system of VET State educational requirements Higher education instruments – ECTS, DS, mobility documents, recognition procedures, horizontal and vertical mobility National qualification framework Learning outcomes orientation of quality assurance system

LLL in Bulgaria SWOT Strengths Explicit state commitment Comprehensive approach to the reform Administration responsible for LLL Launched statistics and surveys on LLL Better dialogue with business world Coordinated efforts with EU countries

LLL in Bulgaria SWOT Weaknesses Still lack of unified LLL culture Not encompassed all human and financial resources Legislation is not fully oriented to LLL Overlooked by employers (M and S) Missing overall information campaign

LLL in Bulgaria SWOT Opportunities Involving fully all stackeholders As much as possible information through all information sources Sharing experience between countries Governmental incentives for LLL implementation on programs/projects basis Schools assisting for creating LLL culture from earliest education experience

LLL in Bulgaria SWOT Threats Misunderstanding of the leading role of the LLL at the level of education providers Lack of motivation at individual level Formal acceptance and application of the main LLL instruments Fast changes of labour force embarrassing statistics Shortage of finances for fully comprehensive and sustainable information campaign

And still … initium dimidium facti Thank you for your attention!