A new status of mathematics high schools will allow them to take their own admission exams

“We absolutely support Minister Valchev’s decision (Krasimir Valchev – ed.) Mathematics high schools to become specialized schools. Just as the sage said, « There is time for every thing under the sun. » Maybe now it’s the time for this thing to come, « he said.

What will change

« Specialized school means that (Mathematics high schools – ed.) They will be able to accept students after 4th grade to continue after 7th grade without an additional exam, « explained yesterday (April 8) in Vratsa Krasimir Valchev.

Thus, the seventh -graders of the mathematical will appear on the national external evaluation of mathematics, but the result of it will not depend on their stay in the mathematical school. « Students who have been admitted with a state admission plan in grade 5 will be given the opportunity to continue after the 7th, without looking at the result of the national external assessment. If they declare that desire, they will simply continue to study, » Georgiev explained.

« The idea is that most of the accepted after 5th grade should remain, since during this period they have received very good mathematics preparation and we should not miss them after 7th grade, because in the larger cities it is not able to continue after 7th in mathematics high schools, » he added.

The specialized status would give much greater autonomy to mathematics high schools than the current one. This would allow them to make their own admission similar to all other specialized schools. Now, by law, such are sports, cultural schools, arts and spiritual schools.

« For example, the National High School of Mathematics in Sofia after 7th grade has an exam that they are currently using, in addition to the national external assessment. Additional exams can be taken, » the director of the Lovech Mathematics High School.

As specialized mathematics high schools would have the right to their own curriculum specific to the particular school.

The change would not mean the elimination of admission after 7th grade in the mathematical, Ventsislav Georgiev assured. « New classes will be discovered in mathematics after 7th grade so that other students can be accepted, » he said, saying that their number would not exceed the current one.

Asked when can the change be carried out, the principal replied that the opening of the school law of changes is expected in May

Mandatory matriculation in maths

Asked about the proposal to make a mandatory matriculation in mathematics, Ventsislav Georgiev said:

« Many things have to happen before we reach this mandatory mathematics matriculation in order for the children to be prepared. First, the curricula must be refined, but not lightweight. Changes must be made in the curriculum so that the mathematics hours are no more.

Mathematics is like a chain in which each subsequent lesson is tied to those who are before it, and if a baby drops one of these chains, one breaks the chain, the math teacher added. According to him, it is necessary to give more hours to teachers in the subject, for example for summary lessons, « because it is very important to allow teachers for more exercises so that children can understand, to grasp mathematics, not to let the thread, not to break it.

Now in grades 11 and 12th, mathematics classes are two a week according to the framework curriculum. This is too little to prepare for maturity in mathematics, the teacher said.