This report is an output under the OECD’s agreement to support the Evaluation Plan of Bulgaria’s Programme “Education” 2021-2027. Bulgaria’s Equal Access to School Education in Times of Crisis (2021–2023) project aimed to improve digital access, support teachers, enhance distance learning, and foster parental involvement, particularly for disadvantaged students. Funded through REACT-EU, it sought to close technology gaps and strengthen basic digital skills among students. As introduced in the report: ""This evaluation looks at what the project achieved. It finds promising practices and clear progress in closing technology gaps and strengthening basic digital skills, particularly for disadvantaged students. However, deeper changes—such as transforming teaching methods and increasing parental involvement—were harder to achieve. Many teachers needed more advanced training, and parents faced barriers beyond just digital skills. The project made Bulgaria’s education system more resilient to future disruptions, but lasting impact will require ongoing investment and a broader approach to digital learning. This report offers key lessons for policymakers and educators working to strengthen equitable digitalisation in education. While progress was made in these areas, challenges remained in transforming teaching methods and increasing parental involvement, indicating the need for ongoing efforts to fully bridge digital inequalities.
(Source: OECD, Bulgaria - Policy monitor country profile, 2025).
Funded by:
Bulgaria's Equal Access to School Education in Times of Crisis Project is funded through REACT-EU, the Equal Access to School Education in Times of Crisis project (2021-2023) sought to address these challenges by improving digital access, supporting teachers, enhancing distance learning, and fostering parental involvement.
Methodology
The evaluation took a mixed-methods approach, informed by a realist evaluation methodology. Data collection included an extensive review of relevant national and international evidence, an ad hoc OECD survey with 178 schools and principals, 748 teachers, 1 115 students, and 44 representatives of Regional Educational Departments (REDs), 4 school visits, and interviews and focus groups with 25 teachers, 20 students, 4 principals and 20 parents. It also included input from NGOs, social partners and ministry and government agency representatives. The evaluation took place between March and December of 2024.
(Source: Report).
Country or region of researched population
Bulgaria
Citation
OECD. (2025). Bulgaria’s “Equal Access to School Education in Times of Crisis” Project: Final Evaluation. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/4ba2d868-en
This report is an output under the OECD’s agreement to support the Evaluation Plan of Bulgaria’s Programme “Education” 2021-2027. Bulgaria’s Equal Access to School Education in Times of Crisis (2021–2023) project aimed to improve digital access, support teachers, enhance distance learning, and foster parental involvement, particularly for disadvantaged students. Funded through REACT-EU, it sought to close technology gaps and strengthen basic digital skills among students. As introduced in the report: ""This evaluation looks at what the project achieved. It finds promising practices and clear progress in closing technology gaps and strengthening basic digital skills, particularly for disadvantaged students. However, deeper changes—such as transforming teaching methods and increasing parental involvement—were harder to achieve. Many teachers needed more advanced training, and parents faced barriers beyond just digital skills. The project made Bulgaria’s education system more resilient to future disruptions, but lasting impact will require ongoing investment and a broader approach to digital learning. This report offers key lessons for policymakers and educators working to strengthen equitable digitalisation in education. While progress was made in these areas, challenges remained in transforming teaching methods and increasing parental involvement, indicating the need for ongoing efforts to fully bridge digital inequalities.
(Source: OECD, Bulgaria - Policy monitor country profile, 2025).
Funded by:
Bulgaria's Equal Access to School Education in Times of Crisis Project is funded through REACT-EU, the Equal Access to School Education in Times of Crisis project (2021-2023) sought to address these challenges by improving digital access, supporting teachers, enhancing distance learning, and fostering parental involvement.
Methodology
The evaluation took a mixed-methods approach, informed by a realist evaluation methodology. Data collection included an extensive review of relevant national and international evidence, an ad hoc OECD survey with 178 schools and principals, 748 teachers, 1 115 students, and 44 representatives of Regional Educational Departments (REDs), 4 school visits, and interviews and focus groups with 25 teachers, 20 students, 4 principals and 20 parents. It also included input from NGOs, social partners and ministry and government agency representatives. The evaluation took place between March and December of 2024.
(Source: Report).
Country or region of researched population
Bulgaria
Citation
OECD. (2025). Bulgaria’s “Equal Access to School Education in Times of Crisis” Project: Final Evaluation. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/4ba2d868-en
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