[size=55:2bbbkves]novnite 15 September 2010

Bulgarian Education Minister Annuls Middle School State Exams

Bulgarian students in grades five and six will no longer undergo State-administered exams at the end of the school year, per an order of Education Minister, Sergey Ignatov.

Ignatov made the announcement Wednesday during the official opening of the 2010 – 2011 school year at the First English Language High School in Sofia.

Ignatov said he signed the order to annul these mandatory exams because they take too much resources and stress students. Only those in grades four, seven and twelve will now have to sit for end-of-year exams.

The Minister also spoke about his newly appointed Deputy, Milena Damyanova, admitting she does not have much experience in secondary education, but boasts curiosity and enthusiasm.

"
She is young and not burdened by routines,"
Ignatov said, adding he had worked with Damyanova on several projects.