Teachers, Teacher Education, and Professional Development
Recent research (i.e., TALIS 2013 [the Teaching and Learning International Survey]) shows that teachers in Bulgaria are among the most experienced in Europe, with an average of 22 years of professional experience. This is due to the fact that approximately 20 percent of teachers in Bulgaria are younger than 40, while approximately 45 percent of teachers in Bulgaria are age 50 or older. Approximately 80 percent of teachers in Bulgaria are female, placing Bulgaria among the countries with the highest gender imbalance among teachers.12
Teacher Education Specific to Reading
Several Bulgarian universities offer initial teacher training in bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. In Bulgaria, state requirements for teacher qualification include a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and several mandatory academic courses (e.g., pedagogy, psychology, information technology in education, subject matter pedagogy), as well as school observation, school practice, and an internship.
Teaching at the primary school level requires at least a four year bachelor’s degree in primary pedagogy. In their program of study, students must conduct guided observations, deliver observed lessons in schools, and complete pregraduation school practice. After completing special theoretical and practical state examinations, teachers receive a diploma that serves as a teaching certificate of professional qualification.
Teaching at the secondary school level requires at least a four year bachelor’s degree in a subject specialty in addition to a teaching certificate for professional qualification. Besides passing the theoretical and practical state examinations, graduates or students who have completed their second year at university in any relevant specialty must pass examinations in pedagogy, pedagogic psychology, IT in education, and methodology to obtain a teaching certificate.
Requirements for Ongoing Professional Development in Reading for Teachers
Several universities in Bulgaria have departments for professional development and enhancing teacher qualifications. These departments offer qualification courses and conduct qualification degree examinations for teachers. Teachers primarily receive professional development through periodic updates on pedagogical knowledge, new instructional methods, and the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in education. Teachers may then take examinations to acquire professional qualification degrees, which lead to salary increases.
Five levels of postgraduate professional qualification are available for actively employed teachers in Bulgaria, the first level being the highest and the fifth the lowest. These qualifications are not mandated and can be completed at any time at the teacher’s discretion. The requirements for completing each level are nationally regulated. The qualifications are conferred by the Departments for In-Service Teacher Training, affiliated with several of Bulgaria’s universities.
Teachers’ continual professional development is not regulated by the state, and professional development opportunities are limited once teachers enter the profession. Usually they may attend one or two short term courses (one or two days each) during the school year on varying topics, such as teaching methods, student assessment, and Bulgarian language and literature content materials. Teachers rarely attend long term training courses, as they would have to take a temporary leave of absence (i.e., one term) to do so.
A 2016 ordinance regulates teachers’ continual professional development and expands the field for providing qualification courses and programs for teachers by allowing other educational and training institutions to offer such programs after being approved by the Ministry of Education.13 The approved programs are listed in the national informational register.