On November 21, 2025, at the International Business School in Sofia, the fifth edition of the Annual Working Meeting between the Ministry of Education and Science and the Bulgarian Association of Private Schools will be held.
Under the title "Education for the Future: Strategic Dialogue for Quality and Innovation between the State and Private Education", the forum will bring together representatives of state institutions, directors and teachers from private and innovative schools, universities, students and experts, united by the idea of a common vision for quality, modern and inclusive education in Bulgaria.
In an era of dynamic changes and technological transformation, education requires rapid adaptability, innovation and mutual trust between all participants in the process.
- "This meeting is not just a discussion, but an expression of a shared vision. Private education is not an alternative, but an engine for change, which proves that when there is freedom and responsibility, true quality is achieved," says Ms. Maria Kamenova, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of BACU.
Among the official guests and participants, the presence of Mr. Krasimir Valchev, Minister of Education and Science, Prof. Dr. Georgi Apostolov, Rector of the International Higher Business School, as well as representatives of the National Inspectorate of Education, universities, expert communities and directors of private schools from all over the country is expected.
The forum will be opened by Ms. Maria Kamenova, Chairwoman of the Management Board of the Bulgarian Higher Business School, with an address dedicated to the role of private educational institutions as an innovative and socially responsible partner of the state. The moderator of the meeting will be Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evelina Hristova from the New Bulgarian University, who will lead the discussion panels and the plenary part.
The three main panels of the meeting will outline the key directions in the development of education in Bulgaria.
Panel I – “The Freedom to Educate. Autonomy and Equality for the Quality of Education” will emphasize the need for greater autonomy of schools, the implementation of equal quality standards and the recognition of international programs and good practices.
Panel II – “Innovation and Modernization. Education in the Field of Artificial Intelligence and Technologies” will examine the role of new technologies, the integration of artificial intelligence, STEM/STEAM approaches, digitalization and modern pedagogical formats as a basis for modern and adaptive learning.
In Panel III – “The Voice of Students”, representatives of the Student Board to the Governing Board of BACU will share their perspective on autonomy, innovation and the role of the school in the modern world, placing the student at the center of the dialogue on the future of education.
Education as a common cause and shared responsibility
The meeting between the Ministry of Education and Science and the Bulgarian Association of Private Schools is establishing itself as one of the most significant annual forums for strategic dialogue in Bulgarian education. It creates a platform for sharing successful practices, identifying challenges and formulating specific proposals to support the development of the system in a spirit of partnership and equality.
The emphasis on synergy between public and private education aims not to oppose, but to build on and create a sustainable model in which all schools operate under uniform quality standards, but with sufficient freedom for innovation and development, as well as an educational policy in which public and private education share a common mission – quality, accessible and modern education for every child in Bulgaria.
Private schools are a catalyst for innovation and a partner of the state for modern education
They continue to play a leading role in the transformation of the educational process, the introduction of innovative methods, STEM approaches and digital technologies, including artificial intelligence. In the context of European priorities and upcoming strategic decisions for innovation and human capital development, the Bulgarian Association of Private Schools (BAPS) emphasizes the importance of all educational institutions in the country - public, municipal and private - participating on an equal footing in the construction of a modern, sustainable and European competitive educational ecosystem.
The European path: partnership and equality
The model of many European countries shows that when the private and public sectors work together, education develops faster and more sustainably. In countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden, private schools are an integral part of national innovation policies and contribute to creating an excellent environment for students and teachers.
Bulgaria has the potential to follow the best European practices by engaging the entire education sector — public and private — in the modernization of the system. This includes ensuring equal access to strategic participation, funding, training and resources.
The strategic moment for Bulgaria:
The state is working on key documents in the field of innovation and artificial intelligence. This opens an important opportunity for private schools to contribute with:
- proven models of innovative pedagogy
- experience in STEM and digital programs
- international partnerships and projects
- flexible mechanisms for implementing new solutions
The Bulgarian Association of Private Schools expresses its readiness to actively participate in the development and implementation of the national strategy for innovation and AI in education, as a reliable partner of the state.
BACU focuses on:
The official inclusion of private schools in the process of developing and implementing national strategies for innovation and artificial intelligence, with the aim of real participation in the transformation of the educational environment.
Ensuring equal access to all funding programs, training and national initiatives, so that the potential of the private sector is fully utilized.
Building structured mechanisms for the participation of private schools in the development of policies and pilot models aimed at modernization and innovation in education.
Expanding the national innovation ecosystem through an active partnership between the public and private sectors, united around the common goal - quality, sustainable and competitive education.
In connection with the upcoming annual working meeting with Mr. Valchev, Ms. Maria Kamenova, President of the Bulgarian Higher Education Commission, shared:
“Private schools are not an alternative, but a partner of the state in the modernization of education. We believe that Bulgaria’s efforts to develop an innovation and AI strategy will be even more successful when they include the entire education system — public and private — with a common mission and equal access in preparing competitive, confident and digitally literate young people. Following the European framework for digitalization and AI, Bulgaria can develop its national strategy for Innovation in Education, which will focus on the ethical use of AI, data protection, development of an innovation ecosystem and equal access to resources and funding for all schools — state, municipal and private.
November 21, 2025, Start time: 12:00 PM | Registration 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Venue: International Higher Business School, Address: 7 Vincent van Gogh Street, Sofia
Organizer: Bulgarian Association of Private Schools
Partner: Ministry of Education and Science
