Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva has endorsed draft amendments to a 2015 ordinance on general education, put forward by the Education Ministry. The amendments aim to formally integrate artificial intelligence and digital literacy into the curriculum for students from the third through twelfth grades. In a statement addressed to the caretaker Education Minister, Sergey Ignatov, Delcheva views the proposed changes as a timely and necessary measure to modernize Bulgarian education amid rapid technological advancements across all sectors of society.
According to Delcheva, AI can serve as a valuable assistant in learning, student research, and creative activities, thereby modernizing the educational environment and improving feedback mechanisms between teachers and students. However, she stresses that technology should complement, rather than replace, the cognitive process, emphasizing that AI should guide knowledge acquisition, not substitute it. The Ombudsman also highlighted the necessity for students to develop critical thinking, fact-checking abilities, the capacity to identify disinformation and algorithmic bias, and ethical responsibility regarding AI use.
Furthermore, Delcheva noted the evolving role of the teacher, who must function not only as a source of knowledge but also as a mentor and guide within the digital sphere. While acknowledging the alignment of the draft with UNESCO guidelines and EU regulations concerning AI in education, Delcheva outlined several risks. These include the potential widening of the digital divide, the requirement for extensive teacher training, student data protection, the risk of plagiarism, and the need for robust technical infrastructure.
Delcheva recommends that the Ministry of Education establish a catalog of certified AI tools for schools and implement stricter rules ensuring child protection, transparency, and human oversight in the learning process. She also urged a comprehensive focus on mental health and social-emotional learning within schools.
Topics: #education #proposed #delcheva
