School and academic community share experience and plan future development of intercultural education – XI National Pedagogical Conference

Between July 11-12 in Borovets Center “Amalipe” organized and held the 11th National Pedagogical Conference under the motto “Students leaders – turn ideas into actions”, which made it possible to popularize successful applied-practical models of student self-governance. Official guests at the event were Nataliya Mihalevska – Head of the Political Office of the Minister of Education, PhD. Yanka Takeva – President of the Union of Bulgarian Teachers and Rositsa Ivanova – Head of the Regional Department of Education – Sofia region.

The pedagogical conference began with a short welcome by Deyan Kolev – Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Amalipe Center. D. Kolev thanked all participants from the school network “Every student will be a winner”, who are long-term partners in the successful implementation of educational policies in intercultural education, as well as the high-ranking officials present in the hall.

The forum was held in three thematic directions: “Interculturality in the educational system of the Republic of Bulgaria”, “Active policies for child and youth participation. Active forms of empowerment’ and ‘Good practices for school and youth activities: initiatives, campaigns, trainings’. Moderators were educational experts Yonka Danova and Silvia Stancheva.

During the conference, Boyan Zahariev – Program Director of “Open Society Institute” presented a survey on civic participation and civic values among children and youth from vulnerable communities. The report was prepared by a team of the “Open Society Institute – Sofia” Foundation within the framework of the “Intercultural Academy for Civic Participation and Tolerance” project, which the Amalipe Center implements in partnership with the “Open Society Institute – Sofia” Foundation with the financial support of the Embassy of the USA in Bulgaria. Deyan Kolev – Chairman of the Amalipe Center introduced the attendees to a study on equal access to education, which was conducted in 500 schools.

Their experience and a working model for student self-governance in the educational institutions they lead were presented by: Todor Dzambov – Director of the Professional High School for Chemical and Food Technologies – Pazardzhik, Dimitrinka Georgieva – Director of Lyuben Karavelov Secondary School – Varna , Temenuzka Tomchovska – Director and Galina Kolcheva – Deputy. Director of “Hristo Botev” United School – Banitsa village, Galina Yahova – Director of “Elisaveta Bagryana” Vocational High School of Clothing – Byala Slatina. Mariela Goranova – Principal of “Ivan Vazov” Secondary School – Mezdra and Yonka Marinova, senior teacher at “Hristo Smirnenski” Secondary School – Koinare presented their long-term experience in implementing projects related to the field of vocational education and school education , which are realized under the “Erasmus +” Program.

At the end of each track, the conference participants had the opportunity to discuss the shared practice and ask their questions to the speakers.

Young leaders from Elena, Smyadovo, Maglizh and Veliko Tarnovo, working on the “Intercultural Academy for Civic Participation and Tolerance” project, presented their practices and organized interesting challenges for the participants in the scientific forum.

The representatives of the academic community Prof. Dr. Plamen Makariev and Associate Professor Dr. Yosif Nunev took part in the conference with their reports with “Interculturalism in assimilationist and integrationist perspectives. Why intercultural education is also useful for Bulgarian children” and Prof. Dr. Mariana Mandeva with “The phenomenon of “reading” – culture, multiculturalism, interculture”. On the initiative of Assoc. Dr. J. Nunev, during the two-day forum, workshops were also held with university professors at which academic-general education and psychological-pedagogical training in the field of intercultural education, which is offered in higher education institutions, was discussed.

In the closing session of the XI National Pedagogical Conference, the possibilities for additional financing of educational institutions were presented. It was attended by Lalo Kamenov and Niren Hasanova, who presented the four priorities of Tender Procedure 33.22 – 2023 of TSOIDUEM. And also Veselina Tyufekchieva – state expert in the Directorate “Programming, monitoring and evaluation” in the Executive Agency “Education Program”, who presented the operation “Strengthening intercultural education, through culture, science and sports”, Priority 1. Inclusive education and educational integration.

All scientific reports will be included in the Collection that the Amalipe Center will publish.

The network “Every student will be a winner” covers more than 295 schools from all over the country and for the last ten years it has been developing the schools participating in it, supporting them in the prevention of dropping out of school, solving the problem of high absenteeism, low school success, the relatively small percentage of Roma continuing their education in secondary schools (high schools) and graduating from secondary education, the non-participation of Roma parents in school life and in school management structures. The network has become one of the most active participants in the process of increasing the quality of education and achieving full coverage in both primary and secondary education.

The meeting was implemented with the support of

Trust for Social Achievement (TSA) is a non-governmental organization whose mission is to break the vicious cycle of poverty by promoting opportunities that help Bulgaria’s most disadvantaged citizens achieve educational and economic success. TSA supports programs that, with their integrity, potential for growth and transparency, help to improve the well-being of the poorest people in Bulgaria, with a special focus on the Roma.