Education Monitor: Around The Globe between April1st and April15th, 2025 Edition

Broken Chalk proudly presents a new edition of “Education Monitor: Around the Globe” between April 1st and April 15th,, 2025 Broken Chalk aims with this letter to increase public awareness of  Educational problems, challenges, and violations in the scope of the world. This newsletter is unique. This is a weekly newsletter in which we attempt to monitor and convey educational news from around the world in a concise manner. This monitor will be published biweekly with the effort of our young and enthusiastic team.

You can contribute to our work if you like. If you witness any violations in the scope of education, you can write the comment part of this post. Broken Chalk will try to address the issue in its next monitor edition.

April-1st-till-April-15th-2025

To download this edition as a PDF, click here

Broken Chalk Platform, in March 2019, was founded by a group of educators abroad who experienced and have been experiencing severe human rights violations in Turkey and had to ask for asylum currently in several countries.

These education volunteers also suffered greatly and started their new lives in their new countries without human rights violations. They gained respect just because they were considered human beings in those countries. However, they left one part of their minds and hearts in their homeland. They assigned themselves a new duty, and the human rights violations they left behind had to be announced to the World. A group of education volunteers who came together for this purpose started their activities under the Broken Chalk platform’s umbrella. However, the Broken Chalk platform was not enough to serve their aims. Therefore, they completed their official establishment as a Human Rights Foundation in October 2020.

Broken Chalk is now much more than a platform, and we have reviewed and enlarged our vision and mission within this framework. Violations of rights would be the first in our agenda in the field of Education all over the World. At the point we reached today, Broken Chalk opened its door to all individuals from all across the globe, from all professions, and to all individuals who say or can say ‘I also want to stand against violations of human rights in Education for our future and whole humanity, where our generations grow up together.’

Education is essential because it can help us eliminate the evils from society, introduce, and increase the good. We want to draw the public’s and stakeholders’ attention to the fact that Education is in danger in several different parts of the World. The attacks are wide-reaching, from the bombing of schools to the murder of students and teachers. Raping and sexual violence, arbitrary arrests, and forced recruitment also occurred, instigated by armed groups. Attacks on Education harm the students and teachers but also affect the communities in the short and long term.

We invite all individuals who want to stop human rights violations in Education to become Volunteers at Broken Chalk.

The Role of EdTech Startups in Transforming Education in Egypt

 

Written by Iasmina Stoian

Source: Getty Image https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/01/egypt-moves-redress-teacher-shortages-public-schools

 

Education in Egypt has long faced numerous challenges, including overcrowded classrooms, insufficient resources, and outdated curricula. For decades, these obstacles have limited the quality and accessibility of education for students across the country, particularly in rural areas. In recent years, however, the rise of educational technology (EdTech) startups has begun to change the face of education in Egypt. These innovative companies are leveraging technology to address the systemic issues within the Egyptian education system, offering new opportunities for both students and educators. This article explores the transformative role of EdTech startups in Egypt and their potential to reshape the future of education in the country.

 

The Need for Innovation in Egyptian Education

The Egyptian education system has historically been marked by its rigidity, with an over-reliance on rote memorization and high-stakes testing. Students often lack access to critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills—skills that are increasingly in demand in the global workforce. Furthermore, a significant urban-rural divide exacerbates educational inequality, with students in rural areas facing even greater challenges in accessing quality education.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted these pre-existing issues while also introducing new challenges. With schools closing for extended periods, millions of students were left without access to education due to the lack of digital infrastructure and resources. The crisis underscored the urgent need for innovation in education and the potential of technology to provide solutions.

 

The Rise of EdTech Startups

In response to these challenges, Egypt has seen a surge in the number of EdTech startups in recent years. These startups are developing innovative platforms, tools, and applications designed to make education more accessible, engaging, and effective for students across the country. The growing demand for online learning during the pandemic acted as a catalyst for many of these ventures, but their impact is expected to extend far beyond the immediate crisis.

EdTech startups in Egypt are tackling a wide range of educational needs, from early childhood learning to university-level education and vocational training. They are focusing on diverse areas, including online tutoring, interactive learning platforms, gamification, and adaptive learning technologies. These companies are not only addressing the issues of accessibility and quality but also working to modernize and digitize the traditional education system.

Key Areas of Transformation

One of the most significant contributions of EdTech startups in Egypt is the promotion of personalized learning. Traditional classrooms often fail to cater to the individual needs of students, as teachers are required to manage large groups with varying levels of ability. EdTech solutions, however, allow students to learn at their own pace, accessing resources tailored to their learning styles and needs.

Platforms like Almentor and Kiwa Academy offer online courses in various subjects, enabling students to select the areas in which they need more support. By providing a more flexible and personalized approach, EdTech companies are helping students to better understand complex concepts, retain information, and develop independent learning habits.

Another crucial area where EdTech startups are making a difference is in bridging the gap between urban and rural education. In Egypt, students in rural areas often have limited access to qualified teachers, modern resources, and extracurricular activities. This has led to a significant disparity in educational outcomes between rural and urban students. Through digital platforms, EdTech startups are making quality education accessible to students in remote areas. For example, Nafham, an Egyptian EdTech platform, provides free educational content aligned with the national curriculum, allowing students across the country to access lessons regardless of their location. The platform also includes interactive features like quizzes and video tutorials, making learning more engaging and effective.

In addition to student-focused initiatives, some EdTech startups in Egypt are also working to enhance teacher training and professional development. The traditional education system often overlooks the need for continuous teacher training, leaving educators ill-equipped to manage the changing demands of the modern classroom. EdTech startups such as Classera provide teacher training programs that help educators develop digital literacy and integrate technology into their teaching methods. By empowering teachers with new tools and skills, these startups are improving the overall quality of education and ensuring that teachers can provide students with a more engaging and interactive learning experience.

The Egyptian education system has traditionally placed a heavy emphasis on academic learning, often at the expense of vocational training and lifelong learning opportunities. EdTech startups are addressing this gap by providing platforms that cater to non-traditional learners, including those seeking vocational training or professional development.

For instance, platforms like Udemy and SkillAcademy offer courses in various vocational fields, enabling learners to acquire skills that are directly applicable to the job market. These platforms are particularly valuable in a country like Egypt, where unemployment rates are high, and many young people are seeking opportunities to enhance their employability through skills-based learning.

 

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the significant progress made by EdTech startups in Egypt, challenges remain. One of the primary obstacles is the lack of digital infrastructure in many parts of the country. While EdTech platforms can reach students in remote areas, they still require a reliable internet connection and access to devices, both of which are limited in many rural regions. Additionally, there is a need for greater collaboration between EdTech companies and the government to ensure that technological solutions are integrated into the national education system in a sustainable and equitable manner.

However, the opportunities for growth are immense. Egypt’s young and tech-savvy population is increasingly open to adopting new technologies, and the government has shown a growing interest in supporting digital education initiatives. By fostering an ecosystem that supports innovation and collaboration, Egypt has the potential to become a regional leader in EdTech, with startups playing a pivotal role in transforming education for future generations.

 

Conclusion

The rise of EdTech startups in Egypt represents a promising step toward addressing the longstanding challenges of the country’s education system. Through personalized learning, improved access to resources, enhanced teacher training, and innovative teaching methods, these startups are reshaping how students learn and how educators teach. While challenges remain, the transformative potential of EdTech is undeniable, offering hope for a more inclusive, accessible, and effective education system in Egypt. As these startups continue to grow and evolve, they are poised to play a critical role in the future of education in the country.

Education in Egypt has long faced numerous challenges, including overcrowded classrooms, insufficient resources, and outdated curricula. For decades, these obstacles have limited the quality and accessibility of education for students across the country, particularly in rural areas. In recent years, however, the rise of educational technology (EdTech) startups has begun to change the face of education in Egypt. These innovative companies are leveraging technology to address the systemic issues within the Egyptian education system, offering new opportunities for both students and educators. This article explores the transformative role of EdTech startups in Egypt and their potential to reshape the future of education in the country.

 

Keywords: Egypt, education, personalized learning, online learning platforms, digital education, vocational training, teacher, innovation

 

References:

AU Startups. “12 EdTech Startups Transforming Education across North Africa to Watch.” AU Startups, September 8, 2023. https://au-startups.com/2023/09/08/12-edtech-startups-transforming-education-across-north-africa-to-watch/ausjobs/.

Magnitt. “EdTech Startups in Egypt.” Magnitt. Accessed May 12, 2025. https://magnitt.com/en-eg/startups/edtech.

UNESCO. “UNESCO Celebrates Egypt’s Achievements in Digital Technology and Innovation in Education.” UNESCO, February 16, 2023. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-celebrates-egypts-achievements-digital-technology-and-innovation-education.

Halo Lab. “TOP 15 promising EdTech startups to follow in 2024.” Halo Lab Blog, April 20, 2023. https://www.halo-lab.com/blog/edtech-startups.

Kozma, Robert B. Technology, Economic Development, and Educational Reform: Global Changes and an Egyptian Response. OECD/CERI International Case Study Project. Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2005. https://www.academia.edu/download/62234764/kozma_egyptian_report.pdf.

Ewiss, Mohamed Zaki. “Empowering the Egyptian’s Education in the Era of COVID-19.” ResearchGate, 2020. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mohamed-Zaki-Ewiss/publication/346589333_Empowering_the_Egyptian’s_Education_in_the_Era_of_Covid-19/links/5fc8c535a6fdcc697bd858d5/Empowering-the-Egyptians-Education-in-the-Era-of-Covid-19.pdf.

El-Masry, Nermine. “The Future of Educational Technology in Egypt: Prospects and Challenges.” Egyptian Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 31, no. 3 (2021): 125–144. https://journals.ekb.eg/article_316740.html.

Education Monitor: Around The Globe between March 16th and March 31st, 2025 Edition

Broken Chalk proudly presents a new edition of “Education Monitor: Around the Globe” between March 16th and March 31st, 2025 Broken Chalk aims with this letter to increase public awareness of  Educational problems, challenges, and violations in the scope of the world. This newsletter is unique. This is a weekly newsletter in which we attempt to monitor and convey educational news from around the world in a concise manner. This monitor will be published biweekly with the effort of our young and enthusiastic team.

You can contribute to our work if you like. If you witness any violations in the scope of education, you can write the comment part of this post. Broken Chalk will try to address the issue in its next monitor edition.

March-16th-till-March-31st-2025

To download this edition as a PDF, click here

Broken Chalk Platform, in March 2019, was founded by a group of educators abroad who experienced and have been experiencing severe human rights violations in Turkey and had to ask for asylum currently in several countries.

These education volunteers also suffered greatly and started their new lives in their new countries without human rights violations. They gained respect just because they were considered human beings in those countries. However, they left one part of their minds and hearts in their homeland. They assigned themselves a new duty, and the human rights violations they left behind had to be announced to the World. A group of education volunteers who came together for this purpose started their activities under the Broken Chalk platform’s umbrella. However, the Broken Chalk platform was not enough to serve their aims. Therefore, they completed their official establishment as a Human Rights Foundation in October 2020.

Broken Chalk is now much more than a platform, and we have reviewed and enlarged our vision and mission within this framework. Violations of rights would be the first in our agenda in the field of Education all over the World. At the point we reached today, Broken Chalk opened its door to all individuals from all across the globe, from all professions, and to all individuals who say or can say ‘I also want to stand against violations of human rights in Education for our future and whole humanity, where our generations grow up together.’

Education is essential because it can help us eliminate the evils from society, introduce, and increase the good. We want to draw the public’s and stakeholders’ attention to the fact that Education is in danger in several different parts of the World. The attacks are wide-reaching, from the bombing of schools to the murder of students and teachers. Raping and sexual violence, arbitrary arrests, and forced recruitment also occurred, instigated by armed groups. Attacks on Education harm the students and teachers but also affect the communities in the short and long term.

We invite all individuals who want to stop human rights violations in Education to become Volunteers at Broken Chalk.

Education Monitor: Around The Globe between March 1st and March 15th, 2025 Edition

Broken Chalk proudly presents a new edition of “Education Monitor: Around the Globe” between March 1st and March 15th, 2025. Broken Chalk aims with this letter to increase public awareness of  Educational problems, challenges, and violations in the scope of the world. This newsletter is unique. This is a weekly newsletter in which we attempt to monitor and convey educational news from around the world in a concise manner. This monitor will be published biweekly with the effort of our young and enthusiastic team.

You can contribute to our work if you like. If you witness any violations in the scope of education, you can write the comment part of this post. Broken Chalk will try to address the issue in its next monitor edition.

March-1st-till-March-15th-2025

To download this edition as a PDF, click here

Broken Chalk Platform, in March 2019, was founded by a group of educators abroad who experienced and have been experiencing severe human rights violations in Turkey and had to ask for asylum currently in several countries.

These education volunteers also suffered greatly and started their new lives in their new countries without human rights violations. They gained respect just because they were considered human beings in those countries. However, they left one part of their minds and hearts in their homeland. They assigned themselves a new duty, and the human rights violations they left behind had to be announced to the World. A group of education volunteers who came together for this purpose started their activities under the Broken Chalk platform’s umbrella. However, the Broken Chalk platform was not enough to serve their aims. Therefore, they completed their official establishment as a Human Rights Foundation in October 2020.

Broken Chalk is now much more than a platform, and we have reviewed and enlarged our vision and mission within this framework. Violations of rights would be the first in our agenda in the field of Education all over the World. At the point we reached today, Broken Chalk opened its door to all individuals from all across the globe, from all professions, and to all individuals who say or can say ‘I also want to stand against violations of human rights in Education for our future and whole humanity, where our generations grow up together.’

Education is essential because it can help us eliminate the evils from society, introduce, and increase the good. We want to draw the public’s and stakeholders’ attention to the fact that Education is in danger in several different parts of the World. The attacks are wide-reaching, from the bombing of schools to the murder of students and teachers. Raping and sexual violence, arbitrary arrests, and forced recruitment also occurred, instigated by armed groups. Attacks on Education harm the students and teachers but also affect the communities in the short and long term.

We invite all individuals who want to stop human rights violations in Education to become Volunteers at Broken Chalk.

Education Monitor: Around The Globe between February26th and February18th, 2024 Edition

Broken Chalk proudly presents a new edition of “Education Monitor: Around the Globe” between February 16th and February 28th, 2024. Broken Chalk aims with this letter to increase public awareness of  Educational problems, challenges, and violations in the scope of the world. This newsletter is unique. This is a weekly newsletter in which we attempt to monitor and convey educational news from around the world in a concise manner. This monitor will be published biweekly with the effort of our young and enthusiastic team.

You can contribute to our work if you like. If you witness any violations in the scope of education, you can write the comment part of this post. Broken Chalk will try to address the issue in its next monitor edition.

February-16th-till-February-28th-2025

To download this edition as a PDF, click here

Broken Chalk Platform, in March 2019, was founded by a group of educators abroad who experienced and have been experiencing severe human rights violations in Turkey and had to ask for asylum currently in several countries.

These education volunteers also suffered greatly and started their new lives in their new countries without human rights violations. They gained respect just because they were considered human beings in those countries. However, they left one part of their minds and hearts in their homeland. They assigned themselves a new duty, and the human rights violations they left behind had to be announced to the World. A group of education volunteers who came together for this purpose started their activities under the Broken Chalk platform’s umbrella. However, the Broken Chalk platform was not enough to serve their aims. Therefore, they completed their official establishment as a Human Rights Foundation in October 2020.

Broken Chalk is now much more than a platform, and we have reviewed and enlarged our vision and mission within this framework. Violations of rights would be the first in our agenda in the field of Education all over the World. At the point we reached today, Broken Chalk opened its door to all individuals from all across the globe, from all professions, and to all individuals who say or can say ‘I also want to stand against violations of human rights in Education for our future and whole humanity, where our generations grow up together.’

Education is essential because it can help us eliminate the evils from society, introduce, and increase the good. We want to draw the public’s and stakeholders’ attention to the fact that Education is in danger in several different parts of the World. The attacks are wide-reaching, from the bombing of schools to the murder of students and teachers. Raping and sexual violence, arbitrary arrests, and forced recruitment also occurred, instigated by armed groups. Attacks on Education harm the students and teachers but also affect the communities in the short and long term.

We invite all individuals who want to stop human rights violations in Education to become Volunteers at Broken Chalk.

Education Monitor: Around The Globe between February1st and February15th, 2025 Edition

Broken Chalk proudly presents a new edition of “Education Monitor: Around the Globe” between February 1st and February 15th, 2024. Broken Chalk aims with this letter to increase public awareness of  Educational problems, challenges, and violations in the scope of the world. This newsletter is unique. This is a weekly newsletter in which we attempt to monitor and convey educational news from around the world in a concise manner. This monitor will be published biweekly with the effort of our young and enthusiastic team.

You can contribute to our work if you like. If you witness any violations in the scope of education, you can write the comment part of this post. Broken Chalk will try to address the issue in its next monitor edition.

January-1st-till-January-15th-2025

To download this edition as a PDF, click here

Broken Chalk Platform, in March 2019, was founded by a group of educators abroad who experienced and have been experiencing severe human rights violations in Turkey and had to ask for asylum currently in several countries.

These education volunteers also suffered greatly and started their new lives in their new countries without human rights violations. They gained respect just because they were considered human beings in those countries. However, they left one part of their minds and hearts in their homeland. They assigned themselves a new duty, and the human rights violations they left behind had to be announced to the World. A group of education volunteers who came together for this purpose started their activities under the Broken Chalk platform’s umbrella. However, the Broken Chalk platform was not enough to serve their aims. Therefore, they completed their official establishment as a Human Rights Foundation in October 2020.

Broken Chalk is now much more than a platform, and we have reviewed and enlarged our vision and mission within this framework. Violations of rights would be the first in our agenda in the field of Education all over the World. At the point we reached today, Broken Chalk opened its door to all individuals from all across the globe, from all professions, and to all individuals who say or can say ‘I also want to stand against violations of human rights in Education for our future and whole humanity, where our generations grow up together.’

Education is essential because it can help us eliminate the evils from society, introduce, and increase the good. We want to draw the public’s and stakeholders’ attention to the fact that Education is in danger in several different parts of the World. The attacks are wide-reaching, from the bombing of schools to the murder of students and teachers. Raping and sexual violence, arbitrary arrests, and forced recruitment also occurred, instigated by armed groups. Attacks on Education harm the students and teachers but also affect the communities in the short and long term.

We invite all individuals who want to stop human rights violations in Education to become Volunteers at Broken Chalk.

Broken Chalk’s Press On Release Deepening a Culture of Social Justice and Human Rights in South Africa

Leticia Cox / Broken Chalk Media Department

Durban—On this significant day, Broken Chalk joins the global community in celebrating South Africa’s Human Rights Day, which honors the nation’s hard-fought struggles for dignity, equality, and justice.
This year’s theme, “Deepening a Culture of Social Justice and Human Rights,” reminds us of the ongoing commitment to protect fundamental freedoms and dismantle systemic inequalities.
On March 21st 1960, 69 unarmed protesters were brutally killed while demonstrating against apartheid’s oppressive pass laws.

The Sharpeville Massacre has made March 21st an enduring symbol of democratic South Africa’s legacy. This day serves as a sad reminder of the sacrifices made for freedom and underscores the ongoing struggle against injustice.
While South Africa has made significant progress since the fall of apartheid, many challenges persist: poverty, gender-based violence, xenophobia, and corruption continue to impede actual impartiality.


Broken Chalk urges collective action to address these issues by:


• Ensuring Access to Quality Education

Education is a fundamental human right and a powerful tool for breaking cycles of poverty and discrimination.
• Protecting Press Freedom and Democracy

Journalists and human rights defenders must be safeguarded from threats and violence.
• Combating Inequality and Discrimination

Women, children, and refugees continue to face structural barriers; policies must actively promote inclusion and justice.
• Strengthening Justice Systems

Law enforcement and judicial processes must ensure fairness, impartiality, and accountability for all.
As we commemorate Human Rights Day, Broken Chalk stands in solidarity with all South Africans working toward a more just and equal society. The fight for human rights is not over—it is a continuous journey that demands active participation from all sectors of society.

Featured image by Leticia Cox

Broken-Chalk-Press-Release-Iraq-1

Education Monitor: Around The Globe between January 15th and January 31st, 2025 Edition

Broken Chalk proudly presents a new edition of “Education Monitor: Around the Globe” between January 15th and January 31st, 2024. Broken Chalk aims with this letter to increase public awareness of  Educational problems, challenges, and violations in the scope of the world. This newsletter is unique. This is a weekly newsletter in which we attempt to monitor and convey educational news from around the world in a concise manner. This monitor will be published biweekly with the effort of our young and enthusiastic team.

You can contribute to our work if you like. If you witness any violations in the scope of education, you can write the comment part of this post. Broken Chalk will try to address the issue in its next monitor edition.

January-1st-till-January-15th-2025

To download this edition as a PDF, click here

Broken Chalk Platform, in March 2019, was founded by a group of educators abroad who experienced and have been experiencing severe human rights violations in Turkey and had to ask for asylum currently in several countries.

These education volunteers also suffered greatly and started their new lives in their new countries without human rights violations. They gained respect just because they were considered human beings in those countries. However, they left one part of their minds and hearts in their homeland. They assigned themselves a new duty, and the human rights violations they left behind had to be announced to the World. A group of education volunteers who came together for this purpose started their activities under the Broken Chalk platform’s umbrella. However, the Broken Chalk platform was not enough to serve their aims. Therefore, they completed their official establishment as a Human Rights Foundation in October 2020.

Broken Chalk is now much more than a platform, and we have reviewed and enlarged our vision and mission within this framework. Violations of rights would be the first in our agenda in the field of Education all over the World. At the point we reached today, Broken Chalk opened its door to all individuals from all across the globe, from all professions, and to all individuals who say or can say ‘I also want to stand against violations of human rights in Education for our future and whole humanity, where our generations grow up together.’

Education is essential because it can help us eliminate the evils from society, introduce, and increase the good. We want to draw the public’s and stakeholders’ attention to the fact that Education is in danger in several different parts of the World. The attacks are wide-reaching, from the bombing of schools to the murder of students and teachers. Raping and sexual violence, arbitrary arrests, and forced recruitment also occurred, instigated by armed groups. Attacks on Education harm the students and teachers but also affect the communities in the short and long term.

We invite all individuals who want to stop human rights violations in Education to become Volunteers at Broken Chalk.

Provocările educaționale cu care se confruntă Bulgaria

 

Scris de Dyuti Khulbe

Tradus de Iasmina Stoian

Amplasată în mijlocul unei varietăți de peisaje – de la lanțurile muntoase din Stara Planina, o linie de demarcație naturală care merge de la vest la est, cu peste 40.000 de situri de patrimoniu cultural, dintre care șapte sunt incluse pe lista UNESCO, până la multitudinea de plaje de pe litoralul Mării Negre, Bulgaria este un amalgam perfect de culturi vechi și orașe moderne. Fondată în secolul al VII-lea, Bulgaria este a doua cea mai veche țară, după San Marino, de pe continentul european.

Datorită trecutului său istoric bogat, Bulgaria prezintă, de asemenea, o intersecție a culturilor greacă, persană, slavă, romă și otomană. Această intersecție culturală a avut, de asemenea, un impact semnificativ asupra politicii și societății bulgare. Societatea socio-politică bulgară modernă a evoluat ca urmare a împletirii credințelor, valorilor și practicilor moștenite, combinate cu noi influențe. Impactul acestei fuziuni în continuă schimbare poate fi observat în diferite aspecte ale societății bulgare, în special în educație.

Înainte de a analiza peisajul în schimbare al educației în Bulgaria, trebuie să înțelegem mai întâi situația țării și modul în care unii dintre acești factori îi afectează infrastructura educațională.

Sozopol, Bulgaria. Imagine via Unsplash de Neven Myst.

Context

Bulgaria a aderat la Uniunea Europeană la 1 ianuarie 2007, după semnarea în 2005 a Tratatului de aderare a României și Bulgariei la UE. De atunci, au avut loc schimbări semnificative în sectorul său educațional, în special în ceea ce privește finanțarea, investițiile în infrastructura și tehnologia educațională, progresul curriculumului său pentru a îndeplini standardele UE și, cel mai important, introducerea unei varietăți de limbi UE vorbite pe scară largă și a programelor de mobilitate și schimb.

În plus, fiind o țară cu venituri medii superioare din Uniunea Europeană, Bulgaria a pus în aplicare (în special după aderarea la UE) politici și a introdus reforme în diverse sectoare care, de asemenea, sporesc apropierea sa de standardele și practicile OCDE (Organizația pentru Cooperare și Dezvoltare Economică). Bulgaria este pe cale de a deveni membru al OCDE. Aceste reforme și politici au fost încurajate și facilitate de un angajament puternic față de integrarea în UE și au condus țara la stabilizarea macroeconomică și la creșterea nivelului de trai al populației în ultimele decenii.

Cu toate acestea, deși Bulgaria se îndreaptă spre progres, trebuie înțelese și depășite diverse obstacole.

Bariere educaționale

Să luăm de exemplu educația. Bulgaria crede că educația este un instrument vital pentru combaterea problemelor sale actuale și va contribui, de asemenea, la realizarea potențialului socio-economic al țării. Dar nu a avut prea mult succes. Țara are unul dintre cele mai slabe rezultate educaționale din UE. Conform datelor PISA (Programul internațional pentru evaluarea elevilor), 47 % dintre elevii în vârstă de 15 ani nu au reușit să atingă niveluri suficiente de competență în citire în 2018, comparativ cu media regională pentru Europa de Est și Asia Centrală de 42 % și cu media OCDE și UE de 23 %.

Unul dintre motivele care stau la baza progresului educațional diminuat al Bulgariei este rata scăzută a investițiilor în sectorul educațional. Conform celor mai recente date din 2018, doar 3,5% din PIB este cheltuit pentru educație, ceea ce este mai mic decât media UE de 4,6%. Aceasta este una dintre cele mai scăzute din UE.

Chiar dacă lumea se îndreaptă spre digitalizare, sălile de clasă din Bulgaria ar putea fi mai progresive. Majoritatea profesorilor consideră că integrarea tehnologiei în sălile de clasă este un instrument eficient, însă se plâng adesea de lipsa echipamentelor tehnice și a competențelor necesare pentru a utiliza tehnologia existentă în sălile de clasă. Mai puține școli din Bulgaria sunt echipate digital în comparație cu UE. Potrivit unui raport din 2019 al Comisiei Europene, doar 32 % dintre copiii din învățământul primar, 31 % la nivelul secundar inferior și 37 % la nivelul secundar superior au acces la școli echipate digital, comparativ cu media de 35 %, 52 % și, respectiv, 72 % în UE. Doar 57% dintre elevii din grupa de vârstă 16-19 ani posedă competențe digitale de bază, ceea ce este mult sub media UE de 82%.

În ultimii ani au fost realizate investiții finanțate de UE pentru îmbunătățirea instrumentelor digitale și a infrastructurii TIC (tehnologia informației și comunicațiilor); cu toate acestea, un studiu al Ministerului Educației și Științei a arătat că mai puțin de 40 % din instituțiile de învățământ dispuneau de echipamente adecvate în laboratoarele lor de informatică. Mai mult, aproape doar jumătate din școlile bulgare dispuneau de condiții prealabile pentru a permite infrastructurilor TIC moderne și oportunități de învățare pentru profesori în vederea îmbunătățirii competențelor lor în domeniul TIC.

Conform Indexului economiei și societății digitale 2020, Bulgaria se situează la coada clasamentului european în ceea ce privește competențele digitale ale adulților și tinerilor. Din același motiv, se încearcă acum să se abordeze această provocare. Instrumentul SELFIE (un instrument dezvoltat de Comisia Europeană pentru a ajuta școlile să înțeleagă unde se situează în ceea ce privește educația digitală) este deja utilizat de 30% dintre școlile bulgare care au evaluat modul în care utilizează tehnologiile digitale în predare și învățare. A crescut numărul de clase de învățământ secundar superior specializate în TIC. Interesant este faptul că codarea este oferită ca materie începând cu clasa a treia, în timp ce patru universități oferă programe în domeniul inteligenței artificiale. Acest lucru se întâmplă după ce Consiliul Uniunii Europene a cerut Bulgariei să „promoveze competențele digitale și accesul egal la educație” în recomandările sale specifice de țară pentru 2020. Bulgaria a stabilit, de asemenea, „Bulgaria digitală 2025”, un program național pentru modernizarea și încorporarea soluțiilor IT în toate domeniile economice și de asistență socială. O provocare educațională notabilă cu care se confruntă Bulgaria este reprezentată de problemele structurale ale politicilor de predare. Majoritatea profesorilor din școlile primare și secundare superioare îmbătrânesc rapid, deoarece majoritatea au peste 50 de ani. Conform unui raport al Băncii Mondiale 2019, aproximativ 11 % dintre aceștia au deja 60 de ani. În ciuda creșterii salariilor profesorilor pentru a le face mai atractive, s-a constatat că doar o parte dintre aceștia optează pentru profesia de profesor. Formarea profesorilor este considerată mai mult teoretică decât practică și nu există o politică clară care să măsoare dacă abilitățile profesorilor răspund nevoilor elevilor și nici un sistem care să urmărească experiența de predare și învățare din sălile de clasă.

Steagul Bulgariei și al UE pe un cer albastru. Imagine via Unsplash de Neven Myst.

Discriminarea copiilor romi în școli

Deși asigurarea unei educații egale și imparțiale este un drept fundamental al omului pentru toți cetățenii din țările UE, natura neincluzivă a educației publice îi împiedică în mod constant pe copiii romi să se bucure de acest drept. Există diferențe uriașe în ceea ce privește accesul, calitatea și tratamentul copiilor romi. Una dintre preocupările principale este segregarea școlară.

Chiar dacă segregarea școlară nu a fost niciodată introdusă sau sancționată oficial de către țările din Europa Centrală și de Est, din păcate, aceasta a fost întotdeauna prezentă. Sistemul „școlilor țigănești” a existat predominant în Bulgaria, unde copiii înscriși aparțineau exclusiv comunității rome, deoarece nu li se permitea să se înscrie în școlile bulgare obișnuite.

De-a lungul anilor, în special la sfârșitul anilor ’90 și în anii 2000, politicile guvernului bulgar au sprijinit reducerea școlilor țigănești. Efortul popular organizat pentru desegregarea școlilor din Bulgaria a început în 2000, când câteva sute de copii romi s-au înscris de la o școală țigănească din Vidin la școlile obișnuite din oraș. Această inițiativă se aliniază cu dezvoltarea istorică a comunităților de romi din Bulgaria, unde, trăind pe pământurile bulgare de secole, romii au aspirat mult timp să se integreze în instituțiile societale mai largi, inclusiv în sistemul de învățământ. Dorința de a atinge acest obiectiv a existat de mult timp și nu se limitează la prezent. Chiar și în deceniile trecute, părinții romi care aveau cunoștințele și resursele necesare depuneau eforturi pentru a-și înscrie copiii în școlile obișnuite.

Cu toate acestea, acest proces a rămas mereu lent în acest sens. Mulți copii romi fie rămân neînscriși în școli, fie abandonează adesea școala, fie nu primesc o educație incluzivă de calitate. Analiza situației copiilor și femeilor din Bulgaria realizată de UNICEF în 2018 identifică factori precum sărăcia, cunoașterea limitată a limbii oficiale (bulgara), prejudecățile și discriminarea ca fiind principalii factori care contribuie la această problemă.

În cadrul testului PISA 2018, elevii din medii mai favorizate au înregistrat performanțe mult mai bune decât colegii lor mai puțin favorizați, cu un decalaj substanțial de 106 puncte la citire, echivalent cu peste doi ani și jumătate de școlarizare. Deși acest decalaj a scăzut din 2009 (când se situa la 130 de puncte), această reducere provine în principal din scorurile mai mici ale elevilor avantajați, mai degrabă decât dintr-o îmbunătățire a performanțelor elevilor dezavantajați. Pe scurt, 70 % dintre elevii dezavantajați din punct de vedere socioeconomic au întâmpinat dificultăți la citire, în contrast cu doar 25 % dintre colegii lor mai avantajați din punct de vedere socioeconomic. Acest decalaj de 45 de puncte procentuale este cel mai mare din UE. În consecință, transmiterea calificărilor educaționale și a sărăciei între generații este un factor crucial care influențează oportunitățile educaționale generale, ratele de abandon școlar timpuriu și succesul ulterior pe piața muncii. Aceasta concluzionează că beneficiile școlarizării sunt mai mari pentru elevii a căror limbă maternă este bulgara decât pentru ceilalți.

Statutul socio-economic al elevilor influențează puternic aspirațiile acestora privind obținerea unei diplome universitare. În Bulgaria, 64,3% dintre adolescenți își propun, în general, să urmeze studii superioare, depășind ușor media UE de 62,4%. Cu toate acestea, atunci când se examinează elevii cei mai puțin privilegiați, doar 42,8% își îndeplinesc această aspirație, în contrast cu rata semnificativ mai mare de 83,3% în rândul omologilor lor mai bogați.

În plus, Comitetul pentru Drepturile Economice, Sociale și Culturale își exprimă îngrijorarea cu privire la Strategia națională de integrare a romilor din Bulgaria (2012-2020), deoarece aceasta rămâne limitată. Comitetul observă obstacole care împiedică persoanele de etnie romă să beneficieze pe deplin de drepturile lor economice, sociale și culturale. În special, există preocupări constante cu privire la discriminarea romilor în domenii precum ocuparea forței de muncă, locuințele, asistența medicală și educația, care sunt exacerbate și mai mult de sentimentul crescut împotriva romilor. Comisia este deosebit de preocupată de rapoartele conform cărora copiii romi frecventează din ce în ce mai des școli segregate de facto.

Au trecut peste 20 de ani de când guvernul bulgar și-a inițiat politica de desegregare. Cu toate acestea, majoritatea rapoartelor, după cum am văzut, sugerează că progresul este lent. Desegregarea este un proces pe termen lung care necesită eforturi continue și, cel mai important, înțelegerea unui fenomen cu mai multe niveluri. Pentru a realiza în cele din urmă integrarea, guvernul trebuie să lucreze alături de comunități – atât majoritare, cât și minoritare, societatea civilă și organizațiile internaționale pentru a asigura o educație echitabilă pentru toți.

 


Referințe:

OECD Education and Skills Today https://doi.org/10.1787/57f2fb43-en 

European Commission Education and Training Monitor 2020 https://op.europa.eu/webpub/eac/education-and-training-monitor-2020/countries/bulgaria.html

OECD Reviews of Evaluation and Assessment in Education: Bulgaria https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/57f2fb43-en.pdf?expires=1693415611&id=id&accname=ocid54016941&checksum=77270BEF14631DA8FF9DD3CC0D360C16

Toward an Equal Start: Closing the Early Learning Gap for Roma Children in Eastern Europe: Evidence from a Randomised Evaluation in Bulgaria https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/sief-trust-fund/brief/closing-the-early-learning-gap-for-roma-children-in-eastern-europe

Discrimination against Roma in Croatia and Bulgaria: A comparative report https://minorityrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/MRG_ERELA_Rep_EN_E.pdf

Country Assessment and the Roma Education Fund’s Strategic Directions https://www.romaeducationfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/bulgaria_report.pdf

Bulgarian Political Culture and Civic Participation; Antony Todorov https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/sofia/08095.pdf

Europe’s Forgotten Children https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-forgotten-children-roma-community-bulgaria-school/

Taking School Desegregation To Scale – The Way Ahead; Rumyan Russinov https://www.rcc.int/romaintegration2020/romadecadefold//documents/2.%20isc%20meetings/12%2012th%20Meeting%20of%20the%20ISC_February%202008%20(Hungary)/Presentations/Taking%20School%20Desegregation%20To%20Scale%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Way%20Ahead.pdf

UNHRC Universal Human Rights Index Document E/C.12/BGR/CO/6 BULGARIA: CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS View Document E/C.12/BGR/CO/6 BULGARIA: CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS (ohchr.org)

Education Monitor: Around The Globe between January 1st and January 15th, 2025 Edition

Broken Chalk proudly presents a new edition of “Education Monitor: Around the Globe” between January 1st and January 15th, 2024. Broken Chalk aims with this letter to increase public awareness of  Educational problems, challenges, and violations in the scope of the world. This newsletter is unique. This is a weekly newsletter in which we attempt to monitor and convey educational news from around the world in a concise manner. This monitor will be published biweekly with the effort of our young and enthusiastic team.

You can contribute to our work if you like. If you witness any violations in the scope of education, you can write the comment part of this post. Broken Chalk will try to address the issue in its next monitor edition.

January-1st-till-January-15th-2025

To download this edition as a PDF, click here

Broken Chalk Platform, in March 2019, was founded by a group of educators abroad who experienced and have been experiencing severe human rights violations in Turkey and had to ask for asylum currently in several countries.

These education volunteers also suffered greatly and started their new lives in their new countries without human rights violations. They gained respect just because they were considered human beings in those countries. However, they left one part of their minds and hearts in their homeland. They assigned themselves a new duty, and the human rights violations they left behind had to be announced to the World. A group of education volunteers who came together for this purpose started their activities under the Broken Chalk platform’s umbrella. However, the Broken Chalk platform was not enough to serve their aims. Therefore, they completed their official establishment as a Human Rights Foundation in October 2020.

Broken Chalk is now much more than a platform, and we have reviewed and enlarged our vision and mission within this framework. Violations of rights would be the first in our agenda in the field of Education all over the World. At the point we reached today, Broken Chalk opened its door to all individuals from all across the globe, from all professions, and to all individuals who say or can say ‘I also want to stand against violations of human rights in Education for our future and whole humanity, where our generations grow up together.’

Education is essential because it can help us eliminate the evils from society, introduce, and increase the good. We want to draw the public’s and stakeholders’ attention to the fact that Education is in danger in several different parts of the World. The attacks are wide-reaching, from the bombing of schools to the murder of students and teachers. Raping and sexual violence, arbitrary arrests, and forced recruitment also occurred, instigated by armed groups. Attacks on Education harm the students and teachers but also affect the communities in the short and long term.

We invite all individuals who want to stop human rights violations in Education to become Volunteers at Broken Chalk.