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 countries with the highest proportional gender imbalance.
Teacher Education Specific to Mathematics and Science
Bulgarian universities offer mathematics and science initial teacher training in bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. In Bulgaria, state requirements for teacher qualification include a bachelor’s qualification (as a minimum) and several mandatory academic courses (e.g., pedagogy, psychology, IT in education, and subject matter pedagogy, which includes, the methodology of teaching and learning mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology), as well as school observation, school practice, and an internship.
Primary school teachers must have a primary education bachelor’s degree and a teaching certificate. Primary school teachers are trained at university faculties of primary pedagogy. Presecondary and secondary mathematics and science teachers are required to have a bachelor’s degree (as a minimum) in their respective subject area (mathematics or science) and a teaching certificate.
Bachelor’s degree courses emphasize knowledge of the subject matter, pedagogical preparation, and practical school experience. Some universities offer a degree for teachers only in one subject area (e.g., mathematics, biology, or chemistry), but most offer combined double undergraduate programs (e.g., physics and informatics, physics and mathematics, chemistry and physics, chemistry and informatics, biology and chemistry, biology and geography, and mathematics and informatics). Most courses are taught full time and on site, but some are taught using a combination of on-site learning and e-learning. Double degree programs culminate with a state examination in both subjects (e.g., chemistry and physics, biology and chemistry, or physics and mathematics).
Master’s degree programs in general are designed for actively employed teachers, but they also are open to applicants who are not actively teaching. There are five levels of postgraduate professional qualification 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 own discretion. The requirements for completing each level are nationally regulated. The qualifications are conferred by the Departments for In-Service Teacher Training, affiliated with three of Bulgaria’s universities.
Requirements for Ongoing Professional Development
Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for mathematics and science teachers is not regulated by the state, and professional development opportunities are limited for mathematics and science teachers once they enter the profession. Usually teachers 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 mathematics or science content material. Teachers of mathematics and science rarely attend long term training courses, as they would have to take a temporary leave of absence (i.e., one term) in order to do so.