BRAIT – Initiative for Educational Reform in Education

On October 2, 2024, the Bulgarian Employer Association Innovative Technologies (BRAIT), in collaboration with the Institute for Market Economics (IME), presented a large-scale study identifying key weaknesses in Bulgaria’s education system and providing actionable recommendations for its reform. The study revealed alarming gaps: 54% of students are functionally illiterate in mathematics, only one-third of the population possesses basic digital skills, and vocational education fails to produce sufficient specialists in high-demand fields. The event gathered government officials, industry leaders, and media to discuss how aligning education with labor market needs can drive economic growth. Deputy Ministers of Education Natalia Miteva and Tanya Metodieva-Mihaylova emphasized the importance of modernizing curricula, improving teacher training, and integrating digital competencies. The discussion underscored the urgent need for reform to enhance workforce readiness. The press conference was organized to ensure high-profile media coverage and stakeholder engagement.