Global school shutdowns in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the abrupt introduction of online education and virtual schooling, without teachers being prepared for it. However, teachers experimented the digital platforms and online tools to achieve the learning objectives. This new knowledge could be used and further developed in face-to-face teaching, as it can help to adopt differentiate learning processed and better support students’ learning needs.

The interruption of the educational process in Bulgarian schools in connection with the emergency situation to limit the spread of COVID-19, forced the school system to take rapid measures to maintain continuity of education and to ensure active communication between teachers, students and parents. The choice of a specific option for teaching and distance learning – training, self-preparation, counselling, etc., was decided at the school level, based on the aims of content to be assimilated, the resources available, the internet connection, the age and specificities of students, as well as the digital skills of the participants in the process.

Schools already using the virtual and distance learning platforms, content and services have continued to use them, creating the conditions for the inclusion of all teachers and students –  Below a list of tools that Bulgarian teachers used during the distance learning period is available.

The Ministry of Education and Science provided Microsoft products to all students and teachers in the school education system through accounts in the edu.mon.bg domain. The infrastructure allowed to use the full functionality of Microsoft Teams, accessible from any device – mobile phone, tablet, desktop and laptop, and connecting each teacher with his classes. The accounts allowed also the integration of other information systems in MES.  Information and instructions regarding the installation and use of official accounts to edu.mon.bg were duly sent to schools. The implementation of the platform, the integration of users and the training for working on it were provided on a free basis for schools, and a Help Desk with training videos and webinars were also made available.

The electronic platform Google G Suite for Education, which works with all operating systems and offers several free tools in Bulgarian, including Google classroom, was used to organize and conduct distance learning and to share learning materials and resources. (https://classroom.google.com). One of the frequently used free e-learning platforms was MOODLE (moodle.org). Effective interaction at a distance was carried out through various applications, tools, resources and others, including Mozza Book, Khan academy, ShkoloBG, Ucha.se.

Electronic communication was also possible through electronic diaries, e-mail and social networks to send students the materials and the links to free educational resources. They were given specific tasks - individual or group tasks, and active feedback was maintained through the process to allow adjustments and offer additional tasks.

In Bulgaria conditions were created for inclusion of the maximum number of students in a large number of subjects with the optimal number of hours applicable to distance learning. Electronic versions of textbooks from various publishers, as well as the electronic resources of a number of providers were appropriate for this type of training. Some publishers have provided free access to electronic versions of textbooks, and have also developed video lessons.  In this context, the heads of the regional education authorities have set up an organization to exchange ideas and share resources, information and experience between schools.

In conclusion, the situation showed that Bulgaria has not thought at all about the option to stop the education of our children, although, obviously, there was no plan for such an emergency situation.  Bulgarian parents also joined the process and started to learn platforms, monitor online classes and help with the digital homework.

The policy that the Ministry of Education and Science has undertaken, seeking advice and guidance from all countries, has helped and the results so far are more than impressive! The situation clearly shows the need to digitize Bulgarian education, as well as to assist teachers in the process. After the epidemic, education in Bulgaria will not be the same. Its modernization is just beginning, but a very big step forward has already been made.

Source:  Eurydice Unit Bulgaria