EDUCATION AND TRAINING

National Reference Metadata in ESS Standard for Quality Reports Structure (ESQRS)

Compiling agency: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria


Eurostat metadata
Reference metadata
1. Contact
2. Statistical presentation
3. Statistical processing
4. Quality management
5. Relevance
6. Accuracy and reliability
7. Timeliness and punctuality
8. Coherence and comparability
9. Accessibility and clarity
10. Cost and Burden
11. Confidentiality
12. Comment
Related Metadata
Annexes (including footnotes)
 



For any question on data and metadata, please contact: Eurostat user support

Download


1. Contact Top
1.1. Contact organisation

National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria
1.2. Contact organisation unit

Education and Culture Statistics Department
1.5. Contact mail address

2, P. Volov str., 1038 Sofia, Bulgaria


2. Statistical presentation Top
2.1. Data description

A general description of the statistical process and its outputs, and their evolution over time.

 

NATIONAL EDUCATION SYSTEM
The following documents provide general information on the educational system; please add the relevant links for your country.

General link to Eurydice:
https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/home_en
National system broad overview:
https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/content/bulgaria_en
National Education System Description:
See the link above.
National Education System - Provisions regarding language learning:

State education standards according to the Article 22 of Pre-school and School Education Act (promulgated SG No.79 of 13 October 2015).

Annex 1 - Provisions for language learning 2021 – Bulgaria
Structure of Education and Training Systems:
New education structure was launched according to Pre-school and School Education Act (promulgated SG No.79 of 13 October 2015). The new structure will impact gradually school education, as in 2016/2017 school year only I and V grades are affected, and it is planed until the 2021/2022 all grades (I - XII) to be in lined with the new regulations. For more information about the impact on the UOE data see 8.2. Comparability - over time and ANNEX 2 (ISCED mapping).

 

Please, use the box below if you wish to complement or amend the information provided by Eurydice:
Early childhood education and care is not part of the education system, as children visiting crèches receive only child care and are not considered as part of the education system.
ISCED 8 (doctoral programmes) is missing from the structure.
Professional Bachelor programmes (ISCED level 655) are wrongly presented at ISCED level 5. In Bulgaria there are no programmes at ISCED level 5.
Vocational programmes in vocational schools are missing from the structure.
Vocational training programmes for adults are missing from the structure.

 

Link to the ISCMAP programme and qualification:
Annex 2 - ISCED Mapping for schoolyear 2020/2021 (UOE2022) – Bulgaria
National link to programmes and qualifications:
n/a

 

Further information on data flagged ‘d’ in the database is available to download from the Annex of the Metadata page for Education administrative data from 2013 onwards (ISCED 2011):
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/metadata/en/educ_uoe_enr_esms.htm

 

Further information on data flagged ‘d’ in the database is available to download from the Annex of the Metadata page for Education administrative data from 2013 onwards (ISCED 2011):
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/metadata/en/educ_uoe_enr_esms.htm
2.2. Classification system

- International Standard Classification of Education, 2011 version (ISCED 2011);

- Fields of education and training (ISCED-F);

- Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS).
2.3. Coverage - sector

Formal education system in Bulgaria.
2.4. Statistical concepts and definitions

1. Pre-primary, primary and secondary education:

A pupil/student is every person enrolled in an educational program of formal education according to ISCED irrespective of the mode of attendance. Formal education includes the educational programmes implemented in legitimate educational institutions created according to the existing legal order.

Newly enrolled - pupils/students who enter for the first time in the initial grade or course of the respective education level are considered newly enrolled. This means that those who was enrolled in the same education level previous years are not included in the number of the newly enrolled.

Graduates are those pupils/students who have received a document for a completed level from a legitimate educational institution, containing all the necessary records and stamps according to the law.

Teachers are officials who directly conduct the training sessions according to curriculum irrespective of whether they are full or part time employees. Directors and deputy directors are observed separately although a great part of them may have lecturing functions as well.

Management personnel includes officials who perform management functions at the level of the educational institution.

2. Tertiary education:

A student is every person enrolled in an educational program of formal education according to ISCED irrespective of the mode of attendance. Formal education includes the educational programmes implemented in the legitimate educational institutions created according to the existing legal order.

Foreign students are those students who are not citizens of the Republic of Bulgaria as well as those who have dual citizenship and have been enrolled under the regulations for foreign citizens.

The student mobility is measured by country of prior education which means that mobile student is a student who has graduated secondary education abroad.

Graduates are those students who have received a document for a completed level from a legitimate educational institution, containing all the necessary records and stamps according to the law.

The academic staff are officials who directly conduct the training sessions according to curriculum irrespective of whether they are full or part time employees. The academic staff in tertiary education (ISCED - 6 and 7) includes persons whose main engagement is teaching and research work. This staff includes the officials such as rectors, vice rectors, deans, heads of departments, etc. if they have teaching activity.
2.5. Statistical unit

Pupils/students (incl. newly enrolled and graduates), education personnel and education expenditure by ISCED levels.
2.6. Statistical population

Enrollments and graduates in formal education. Education personnel in formal education. Public and private education expenditure.
2.7. Reference area

National and Regional area.

 

BG БЪЛГАРИЯ (BULGARIA)
BG3 СЕВЕРНА И ЮГОИЗТОЧНА БЪЛГАРИЯ (SEVERNA I YUGOIZTOCHNA BULGARIA)
BG31 Северозападен (Severozapaden)
BG32 Северен централен (Severen tsentralen)
BG33 Североизточен (Severoiztochen)
BG34 Югоизточен (Yugoiztochen)
BG4 ЮГОЗАПАДНА И ЮЖНА ЦЕНТРАЛНА БЪЛГАРИЯ (YUGOZAPADNA I YUZHNA TSENTRALNA BULGARIA)
BG41 Югозападен (Yugozapaden)
BG42 Южен централен (Yuzhen tsentralen)
BGZ EXTRA-REGIO NUTS 1
BGZZ Extra-Regio NUTS 2
2.8. Coverage - Time

2000 - 2021
2.9. Base period

Not applicable.


3. Statistical processing Top
3.1. Source data

For each UOE table, please list the source(s) used to compile information: UOE table, name, type, date of availability and responsibility.

 

Sources used for data on enrolments
Detailed variables concerned Name of the source Type (Survey / Register / Estimation / Other) Responsible of the source (UOE data provider / Other: which-one?)
ISCED 020 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Kindergartens Survey UOE data provider
ISCED 100, 244, 254, 344, 351, 354 and 453 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Schools Survey UOE data provider
ISCED 251, 351 and 453 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Vocational training against payment; Administrative data from the National Agency for Vocational Education and Training Survey / Administrative data UOE data provider
ISCED 6 and 7 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Tertiary education – Professional Bachelor's, Bachelor's and Master's educational-qualification degrees Survey UOE data provider
ISCED 8 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Tertiary education – Doctor's educational and scientific degree Survey UOE data provider

 

Sources used for data on entrants
Detailed variables concerned Name of the source Type (Survey / Register / Estimation / Other) Responsible of the source (UOE data provider / Other: which-one?)
ISCED 344, 354, 351 and 453 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Schools Survey UOE data provider
ISCED 351 and 453 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Vocational training against payment Survey UOE data provider
ISCED 6 and 7 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Tertiary education – Professional Bachelor's, Bachelor's and Master's educational-qualification degrees Survey UOE data provider
ISCED 8 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Tertiary education – Doctor's educational and scientific degree Survey UOE data provider

 

Sources used for data on personnel
Detailed variables concerned Name of the source Type (Survey / Register / Estimation / Other) Responsible of the source (UOE data provider / Other: which-one?)
ISCED 020 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Kindergartens Survey UOE data provider
ISCED 100, 244, 254, 344, 351, 354 and 453 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Schools Survey UOE data provider
ISCED 6 and 7 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Tertiary education – Professional Bachelor's, Bachelor's and Master's educational-qualification degrees Survey UOE data provider

 

Sources used for data on enrolments at regional level
Detailed variables concerned Name of the source Type (Survey / Register / Estimation / Other) Responsible of the source (UOE data provider / Other: which-one?)
ISCED 020 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Kindergartens Survey UOE data provider
ISCED 100, 244, 254, 344, 351, 354 and 453 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Schools Survey UOE data provider
ISCED 251, 351 and 453 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Vocational training against payment; Administrative data from the National Agency for Vocational Education and Training Survey / Administrative data UOE data provider
ISCED 6 and 7 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Tertiary education – Professional Bachelor's, Bachelor's and Master's educational-qualification degrees Survey UOE data provider
ISCED 8 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Tertiary education – Doctor's educational and scientific degree Survey UOE data provider

 

Sources used for data on foreign languages learning
Detailed variables concerned Name of the source Type (Survey / Register / Estimation / Other) Responsible of the source (UOE data provider / Other: which-one?)
ISCED 100, 244, 254, 344, 354 and 351 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Schools Survey UOE data provider

 

Sources used for data on graduates
Detailed variables concerned Name of the source Type (Survey / Register / Estimation / Other) Responsible of the source (UOE data provider / Other: which-one?)
ISCED 020

Until 2020: Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Kindergartens

From 2021: Administrative registers of the Ministry of Education and Science

 Until 2020: Survey

 From 2021: Register

  UOE data provider

ISCED 100, 244, 254, 344, 351, 354 and 453

Until 2020: Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Schools

From 2021: Administrative registers of the Ministry of Education and Science

 Until 2020: Survey

 From 2021: Register

 UOE data provider
ISCED 351 and 453 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Vocational training against payment Survey UOE data provider
ISCED 6 and 7 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Tertiary education – Professional Bachelor's, Bachelor's and Master's educational-qualification degrees Survey UOE data provider
ISCED 8 Annual Census on educational institutions: Report on Tertiary education – Doctor's educational and scientific degree Survey UOE data provider

 

Sources used for data on education expenditure
Detailed variables concerned Name of the source Type (Survey / Register / Estimation / Other) Responsible of the source (UOE data provider / Other: which-one?)
Government expenditure  Financial budgetary documents from the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Education and Science. Administrative data MF, MES
Expenditure in private institutions National accounts data on GDP. Administrative data NSI
Expenditure on R&D Report on R&D statistics. Survey NSI
Household expenditure Household budget survey. Survey NSI
General Annual Census on educational institutions. Survey UOE data provider
3.2. Frequency of data collection

Annual.
3.3. Data collection

UOE data collection in accordance to the Commission Regulation (EU) No 912/2013 of 23 September 2013 as regards statistics on education and training systems.
3.4. Data validation

Data validation is done by the National Statistical Institute and additional tests are carried out by Eurostat.
3.5. Data compilation

Operations performed on data to derive new information according to a given set of rules.

Weighting methods

Weighted figures for differing reference periods

Weighted figures for differing theoretical ages

Conversion factors from part-time to full-time equivalent (FTE) data

Not applicable

Not applicable

It is considered that the Full-time Equivalent (FTE) of a student of a regular mode of attendance is equal to one unit of FTE. The number of the part timers is reduced in FTE by dividing it by the so called converting factor which is equal to the ratio of the yearly length (in school hours) of the ‘regular’ program and the length of the correspondence or other respective programme. Thus if the regular program is twice the length of the correspondence, the converting factor is K = 2. If the students in the regular type are 200 and those in the correspondence are 100 then the FTE = 200 + 100/K = 250.

Not applicable

Not applicable

The FTE for teachers is calculated in similar way, with the converting factor for the part timers being determined as a ratio of the number of hours of the teachers working on a labour contract and the average number of hours of the part timers. For tertiary education FTE is calculated separately for every scientific title (professors, associate professors, senior lecturers, lecturers, assistants).

 

Estimation methods used in the UOE questionnaires
Type of data Detailed variables concerned ISCED level Reference year(s) Data source (internal to UOE or not) Data type (sample-based or not) Data source name in English Reason Description of the estimation method
Enrolments Number of full- and part-time students (ISCED 2011 levels 0 to 8) by age and sex ISCED 100, 244, 254, 344, 351, 354 and 453 1997- External to UOE Population-based value Expert evaluation Only the total number of students aged 25 and over at each ISCED level is available Estimations are made on the basis of additional information provided by the Ministry of Education and Science and data from National Census 2011. Total number of males and females is preserved unchanged, and was also taken into account the decrease of enrolments with the increase of the age. Same procedures are applied to the regional data by single ages.
Enrolments Number of mobile students (ISCED 5 to 8) by field of education and sex ISCED 6 to 8 2016- Internal to UOE Population-based value Annual census on educational institutions Data on mobile students is not available by field of education

Number of mobile students by fields of education is distributed according to the distribution of all students enrolled by fields of education, sex and nationality (citizenship).

For the ‘programmes following a Bachelor’s or equivalent’ the definition used for country of origin is citizenship and respectively data about foreign students by fields of education is presented and no estimates was used.
Enrolments Number of students in initial primary and lower secondary education (ISCED 1 and 2) by grade, sex and age ISCED 1 to 2 2013- Internal to UOE Population-based value Expert evaluation Breakdown simultaneously by age, sex and grade is not available Only the total number per each grade is available by sex. The sex breakdown is therefore estimated by using the proportion of males and females by age at the whole ISCED level.
Entrants Number of new entrants (ISCED 3 to 8) by age and sex ISCED 3 and 4 1997- Internal to UOE Population-based value Expert evaluation Age breakdown of the entrants at ISCED 3 and ISCED 4 for ages 25 and overis not available Data about ages of the new entrants at ISCED 3 and ISCED 4 are available up to the age of 24. The number for those 25 and over by gender is available only as a total. The number of new entrants old over 24 years is estimated as the total is distributed according to the distribution of students enrolled by age and sex.
Entrants Number of new entrants (ISCED 5 to 8) by age and sex and by field of education and sex ISCED 6 to 8 2013- Internal to UOE Population-based value  Annual census on educational institutions Distributions by age and by field of education are not available for the different new entrant’s categories

ISCED 6 and 7

Only the total number of new entrants 'into an academic/professional programme', 'to the ISCED level' and 'first time to tertiary education' is available. Breakdown by age and by field of education is available totally for all newly enrolled students (first year of study). The breakdowns by age and by field of education for the different new entrant’s categories are estimated as follows:

Bulgarian citizens:

On the base of the distribution of all newly enrolled Bulgarian students by age and by field of education and by sex.

Foreign citizens:

The information for the first time new entrants is partially available for the foreigners (only for master programmes following a Bachelor's or equivalent) and respectively only the total number. The breakdowns for this programme are estimated analogically as for the Bulgarian students. For the rest of the programmes, because the information is missing, it is assumed that all foreign citizens are enrolled for the first time into the respective new entrant’s category and the distribution of all newly enrolled foreigners (first year of study) is presented.

ISCED 8

Information on first time new entrants to ISCED 8 level is not available. Information is available for all newly enrolled PhD students. It is assumed that all students are enrolled for the first time to ISCED 8 level and data are presented totally for all newly enrolled PhD students (first year of study).
Entrants Number of new entrants, who are mobile (ISCED 5 to 8) by age and sex ISCED 6 to 8 2016- Internal to UOE Population-based value  Annual census on educational institutions Number of new entrants, who are mobile is not available The number of new entrants who are mobile is estimated. Respectively the distribution by age and sex is estimated. The calculations are based on the estimated figures for the different new entrant’s categories in ENTR1 table. The ratio of mobile students enrolled to all students enrolled is used and applied to the ENTR1 table estimated figures.
Graduates Number of graduates (ISCED 3 to 8) by age and sex ISCED 3 vocational 2004-2020 Internal to UOE Population-based value Expert evaluation Age breakdown of male and female graduates from ISCED 3 vocational programmes is not available For pupils obtained second and third level of professional qualification from vocational gymnasiums and vocational schools at ISCED 3, only the total is available by sex, not the age breakdown of each sex. The age of boys and girls is therefore estimated by using the proportion of male and female by age of the total ISCED 3 graduates.
Graduates Number of graduates (ISCED 3 to 8) by age and sex ISCED 3 and 4 1997-2020 External to UOE Population-based value Expert evaluation Only the total number of graduates aged 26 and over at each ISCED level is available

Estimations are on the basis of additional information provided by the Ministry of Education and Science and data from the National Census 2011. Total numbers of males and females are preserved unchanged, and was taken into account the decrease of the graduates with the increase of their age.

 
Graduates Number of first-time graduates by age and sex ISCED 3 and 4 2005-2020 External to UOE Population-based value Expert evaluation Information not available Number of graduates is reduced with the share of second-time graduates, which is based on information from Census 2011.
Graduates

First-time graduates
ISCED 6 to 8 2013- Internal to UOE Population-based value  Annual census on educational institutions Data on first time graduates is not available  (only graduates totally)

ISCED 6 and 7

Bulgarian citizens

All tertiary programmes

Data on students by levels of prior education obtained and by sex is available for the new entrants - Bulgarian citizens when they enter into tertiary programmes (only totals). Therefore, the ratios of new entrants for the first time to the ISCED level and for the first time to tertiary level to all new entrants by sex are available. It is assumed that these ratios are also valid for the graduates (ratios of first-time graduates from the ISCED level and first-time graduates at the tertiary level to all graduates). The average values of these ratios for the last five years are used to calculate the missing figures. They are applied to the data on graduates that are available by different breakdowns. The calculation is made for each tertiary programme separately by sex. The dropouts are not taken into account.

Regarding the breakdown by age - it is available totally for all graduates. For the first-time graduates it is estimated on the base of the distribution of all graduates by age and sex. The theoretical starting and ending age for each programme is taken into account in terms of age distribution.

Foreign citizens

All tertiary programmes with the exception of Master programmes following a Bachelor’s programme

Data on students by levels of prior education obtained is not available for foreign citizens. It is assumed that all foreign students graduate for the first time from the ISCED level and at the tertiary level at all.

Master programmes following a Bachelor’s programme

Data on students by levels of prior education obtained and by sex is available for the new entrants - foreign citizens when they enter into Master programmes following a Bachelor’s programme. The same estimation method is applied as for the data on Bulgarian citizens (regarding the totals and the breakdowns).

ISCED 8

It is assumed that all PhD students graduates for the first time from that ISCED level.
 Graduates

Number of mobile graduates

Degree mobile graduates

    By age

    By field of education

First-time degree mobile graduates

 ISCED 6 to 8 2013- Internal to UOE Population-based value  Annual census on educational institutions Data on mobile graduates is not available

Degree mobile graduates

ISCED 6 and 7

Data on mobile students is available for the enrolled students. Therefore, the ratios of mobile students to all students enrolled by citizenship and by sex are available (only the totals). It is assumed that the same ratios are valid for the graduates (ratios of mobile graduates to all graduates). These ratios are used to calculate the missing figures. They are applied to the data on graduates which are available by different breakdowns. The calculation is made for each tertiary programme separately by citizenship and sex. The dropouts are not taken into account.

Regarding the breakdown by age and by field of education - it is available totally for all graduates. For the degree mobile graduates it is estimated on the base of the distribution of all graduates by citizenship, sex and age and by citizenship, sex and field of education for each tertiary programme separately.

ISCED 8

Data on mobile students is available for the enrolled PhD students. Therefore, the ratios of mobile students to all students enrolled by mode of attendance, citizenship and by sex are available (only the totals). It is assumed that the same ratios are valid for the graduates (ratios of mobile graduates to all graduates). The average values of these ratios for the last three, four or five years (depending on the mode of attendance) are used to calculate the missing figures. They are applied to the data on graduates that are available by different breakdowns. The calculation is made separately by citizenship and sex. The dropouts are not taken into account.

Regarding the breakdown by age and by field of education - it is available totally for all PhD graduates. For the degree mobile graduates it is estimated on the base of the distribution of all graduates by citizenship, sex and age and by citizenship, sex and field of education.

First-time degree mobile graduates

ISCED 6 and 7

Data on mobile students is available for the enrolled students. Therefore, the ratios of mobile students to all students enrolled by citizenship and by sex are available. It is assumed that the same ratios are valid for the graduates. These ratios are used to calculate the missing figures. They are applied to the data on first-time graduates from the ISCED level and first-time graduates at the tertiary level that are available already by estimations. The calculation is made for each tertiary programme separately by citizenship and sex.

The breakdown by age is estimated on the base of the distribution of first-time graduates by age.
Graduates Number of degree mobile graduates by country of origin and sex ISCED 6 to 8 2013- Internal to UOE Population-based value  Annual census on educational institutions Data on mobile graduates is not available

Data on mobile students in ISCED 6 to 8 is available for the enrolled students by country of origin and sex. The definition used for country of origin is as follows:

- ISCED 6 and 766 – country of upper secondary diploma

- ISCED 767 – citizenship

- ISCED 8 – country of prior education

Data on mobile graduates in ISCED 6 to 8 are estimated as described above regarding the total numbers. The distribution by country of origin is estimated by using the structure of mobile students enrolled by country of origin separately for each tertiary programme and by sex. In addition, the lists of enrolled mobile student’s countries of origin for the last 2 to 5 years (depending on the tertiary programme duration) are analysed before applying the structure and the number of students that can be assumed as graduates for sure is extracted and reported directly as mobile graduates with the respective countries of origin. The assumed number of dropouts is not taken into account.
Personnel Classroom teachers (ISCED 0-4) and academic staff (ISCED 5-8) by level of education, programme orientation, sex and age ISCED 0 1997- Internal to UOE Population-based value Annual Census on educational institutions The gender structure for teaching staff at ISCED 0 is not available For teaching staff there is available data for all pedagogical personnel (including teachers and school level management) by age and gender. The distribution of teachers and school level management personnel by gender is therefore estimated by using the structure of all pedagogical personnel. The number of male personnel at ISCED 0 is insignificant. 
Education expenditure by source and type of transaction Payments of households to public and independent private institutions, fees paid to institutions for ancillary services, payments for educational goods and services other than to educational institutions All ISCED levels 1999- External to UOE Sample-based estimation Household Budget Survey The data about households expenditure for education is not available by ISCED levels Using data about households expenditure (provided by the National Household Budget Survey), the share of the education expenditure is estimated according to the Eurostat’s pilot recommendations. The estimated expenditure is distributed by ISCED levels on the base of the proportion of the enrolments by ISCED levels.
Education expenditure by source and type of transaction Expenditure of central government and local government: Direct expenditure for public institutions, direct expenditure designated for capital, scholarships and grants to students/households and student loans. All ISCED levels 1999- External to UOE Mixed Ministry of Finance and NSI The data about public expenditure for education is not available by ISCED levels Public expenditure (data provided by the Ministry of Finance) and private expenditure (data provided by the Ministry of Finance and the National Accounts) are distributed by ISCED levels on the base of the proportion of the enrolments by ISCED levels.
Education expenditure by source and type of transaction Expenditure of private entities other than households: Direct expenditure for public and independent private institutions, scholarships and grants to students/households and student loans. All ISCED levels 1999- External to UOE Mixed Ministry of Finance and NSI The data about private expenditure for education is not available by ISCED levels

Public expenditure (data provided by the Ministry of Finance) and private expenditure (data provided by the Ministry of Finance and the National Accounts) are distributed by ISCED levels on the base of the proportion of the enrolments by ISCED levels.
Education expenditure by nature and resource category Expenditure in independent private institutions (public and private sources): current expenditure (for compensation of personnel and other), capital expenditure and expenditure for ancillary services ISCED 1 to 4 1999- External to UOE Mixed Ministry of Finance and NSI The data about expenditure for compensation of educational personnel is total for ISCED1-4 levels Public expenditure for compensation of the educational personnel for ISCED 1-4 is distributed on the base of the proportion of the educational personnel by ISCED levels.

 

 
3.6. Adjustment

Not applicable.


4. Quality management Top
4.1. Quality assurance

A set of quality criteria have been set up within the Commission Regulation No 912/2013.
4.2. Quality management - assessment

The national quality report and metadata provide users with basic information on quality at national level.


5. Relevance Top
5.1. Relevance - User Needs

State and regional authorities, international organisations, national and foreign users.
5.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction

Not available.
5.3. Completeness

The extent to which all statistics that are needed are available.

 

ISCED levels not covered
  Enrolments Entrants Personnel Foreign languages learning Regional enrolments Graduates Education expenditure
Data not covered       Students studying modern foreign languages distributed by age        
Reasons for unavailable data and, planned actions to improve coverage       Lack of resources. High respondents' burden.      
5.3.1. Data completeness - rate

Over 95%.


6. Accuracy and reliability Top
6.1. Accuracy - overall

Not applicable (data sources are exhaustive surveys).
6.2. Sampling error

Not applicable (data sources are exhaustive surveys).
6.2.1. Sampling error - indicators

Not applicable (exhaustive surveys).
6.3. Non-sampling error

See below.
6.3.1. Coverage error

Divergence between the frame population and the target population.

 

Vocational training Programmes shorter than one semester
(or Implementation of the semester rule)
Are vocational and technical training programmes in enterprises included in the UOE data collection (YES/NO)? If Yes, how is the 10% school based component over the whole length of the programme assessed? Do (formal) programmes of shorter duration than one semester, full time equivalent duration as defined nationally, exist (YES/NO)? If Yes, how their duration (shorter than one semester) is assessed? Are all programmes of shorter duration than one semester, full time equivalent duration as defined nationally excluded from the UOE data collection (YES/NO)? If NO, how does the coverage deviate from the UOE Manual recommendation?
No   No    Not applicable  

 

 

Early childhood education programmes
ISCED 01 programmes Reporting of Age in ISCED 0 Personnel in ISCED 0 What is the starting age of compulsory Primary education (ISCED 1)? This is needed for the calculation of ECE indicators such as 'Pupils aged between 4 years old and the starting age of compulsory education, by sex - as % of the population of the corresponding age group'
Do Early Childhood Educational Development programmes (ISCED 01) exist in the country
(YES/NO)?		 If Yes, are these programmes included in the UOE data collection
(YES/NO)?		 Are children under the age of 3 reported as participating in ISCED 02 Pre-primary education programmes? (YES/NO) If YES, please explain why. Are Classroom Teachers and Teacher Aides reported separately in the UOE data collection? (YES/NO) If NO, why? How are they reported? What is the minimum level of qualification required to become a Classroom Teacher at ISCED 01 and 02? Please give ISCED level. What is the minimum level of qualification required to become a Teachers’ Aide at ISCED 01 and 02? Please give ISCED level.
 NO    YES  
In accordance with Decree 5 from 03.06.2016 for the Pre-school education, issued by the Minister of education and science:
At the discretion of the parent and/or in the absence of a crèche group in the respective settlement, as well as in the presence of vacant places in kindergartens, children who have reached the age of two by the beginning of the school year of enrollment may enter Pre-primary education.
YES    ISCED 6  ISCED 3 Children shall enrol in Primary education from the school year which begins in the year in which they turn seven years of age. School education may start also in the school year which begins in the year in which child turn six years of age at the parents' choice and provided that the child is ready for school.

 

Special education needs (SNE) programmes
Are students in special education included in the data provided on enrolments, entrants, graduates and regional data
(YES/NO)?		 If NO, could you please specify for which questionnaires and explain why?
 YES  

 

Adult education programmes and "continuing education"
Are adult education programmes included in the data? (YES/NO)  If NO, why?  If YES, does the national definition of “adult” or “continuing” education fully comply with the category as defined by the UOE manual? If the national definition of “adult” or “continuing” education programmes does not fully comply with the category as defined by the UOE manual, how it is assessed that the national “adult” or “continuing” programmes are similar or equivalent to corresponding initial education? 
 YES    Yes. Those programmes are specially designed for adults and leading to similar qualifications as a corresponding regular educational programme.  

 

Students enrolled in educational institutions organised by ministries other than ministry of education
Do educational programmes organised by Ministries other than Ministry of education exist in the country (YES/NO)?  If Yes, what is the coverage of these programmes in the UOE data collection?  If Yes, and if relevant, which of those programmes are excluded from the UOE data collection?

Yes. The Department of Church Affairs approves educational programs provided by spiritual higher education institutions under the regulation of the Law on Religion. So far, there are only 3 higher education institutions with an insignificant number of students enrolled, which conduct such educational programs.

  Not relevant  Not relevant

 

Domestic educational activities Distance learning / e-learning programmes
Are all country’s domestic educational activities reported in the UOE data collection (YES/NO)? If NO, which domestic educational activity (e.g. for example Distance learning/e-learning involving two countries, commuting students, foreign campus, European administration schools, etc.) are not reported and why? Are distance learning programmes data reported in the UOE questionnaires? (YES / NO / Partially / Not relevant) If NO, please explain why. If Partially, which ones are excluded and for what reasons? If distance students are included in the data, are national distance learners in programmes organised by institutions outside your country excluded?
 Yes    Yes     Yes, the national distance learners in programmes organised by external institutions are not included. There are not any data available on those students.

 

Students participating in exchange programmes (credit mobile students) Foreign languages learning
Are students in short term postings (i.e. exchange programmes (credit mobility)) excluded from the population of students in the data collection (YES/NO)? If Yes, how the length of their stay abroad is assessed? If NO, why they are not excluded? Are students with SNE (Special Needs Education) enrolled in special schools excluded from the data on foreign languages? (YES/NO) Apart from SNE pupils, is the scope of the population the same as the total of students enrolled? (YES/NO) If NO, which pupils are not included?
 Yes.

Incoming students from exchange programmes are excluded.

 Educational institutions who are reporting data on enrolments have to exclude short term postings.    Yes  No Enrolments in the programmes specially designed for adults (adults' education).

 

National programmes not covered by the UOE data collection, by ISCED level - Reasons why they are not covered
Programmes not covered at ISCED 0-Early childhood education Programmes not covered at ISCED 1-primary level of education Programmes not covered at ISCED 2-lower secondary level of education Programmes not covered at ISCED 3-upper secondary level of education Programmes not covered at ISCED 4-post-secondary non-tertiary education Programmes not covered at ISCED 5-short-cycle tertiary education Programmes not covered at ISCED 6– Bachelor's or equivalent level Programmes not covered at at ISCED 7 – Master's or equivalent level Programmes not covered at ISCED 8 – Doctoral or equivalent level
Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable

 

Graduates: unduplicated count
Is the method of unduplicated count used for calculation of Graduates in the UOE data collection
(YES/NO)?		 If YES, please explain the method.
 Yes

Tertiary education

According to the survey methodology, each graduate should be counted once only. The respondents are asked to provide data on graduates and not graduations. If students graduate from more than one programme during the data collection reference period, they should be reported only once.

If a student has graduated from more than one programme during the reference period but in different higher education institutions, double counting cannot be avoided.

 

Tertiary educational programme ISCED levels (5-8)
Orientation of programme in tertiary education Personnel in ISCED levels 5-8, Academic staff
Does the orientation (general/academic, vocational/professional) in tertiary education (ISCED levels 5 to 7) exist in the country
(YES/NO)?		 If YES, what is the national definition of the programme orientation?. Are PhD candidates who are employed and hold titles, such as teaching assistant, teaching fellow, research assistant reported as academic staff in UOE data collection (YES/NO)
 Yes

A programme for obtaining a Professional Bachelor's educational and qualification degree (ISCED 655)

The programme is conducted in colleges and provides specialised professional training in the respective professional areas and specialties.

It gives limited access to higher education level ISCED 767 – students may continue their education in master’s degree only in the same professional area under terms and conditions set out in the rules of the higher school or the state requirements.

All other tertiary education programmes are considered and reported as unspecified.

  NO
6.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate

Not applicable (data sources are exhaustive surveys).
6.3.1.2. Common units - proportion

Not applicable (data sources are exhaustive surveys).
6.3.2. Measurement error

6.3.3. Non response error

Not applicable (data sources are exhaustive surveys).
6.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate

Not applicable (data sources are exhaustive surveys).
6.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate

Not applicable (data sources are exhaustive surveys).
6.3.4. Processing error

Not applicable (data sources are exhaustive surveys).
6.3.4.1. Imputation - rate

Not applicable (data sources are exhaustive surveys).
6.3.5. Model assumption error

Not applicable (data sources are exhaustive survey).
6.4. Seasonal adjustment

Not applicable.
6.5. Data revision - policy

In accordance to the internal Rules for Dissemination of Statistical Products and Services.
6.6. Data revision - practice

Any change in a value of a statistic released to the public.

 

Type of data reviewed Detailed variables concerned Reference time period Year when the revision was made Reason having led to the revision Consequences on accuracy
Regional data. Enrollments 2005-2007 2009 Introduction of a new classification of the statistical regions for national and international use (NUTS2 revision). Insured comparability over time on the regional data.
6.6.1. Data revision - average size

Not available


7. Timeliness and punctuality Top
7.1. Timeliness

Length of time between data availability and the event or phenomenon they describe. Typically includes:

 

Information related to the latest reference year (academic year t-t+1, or financial year t)
Data collection Post-collection phase Dissemination/publication in your country Additional comments on deadlines and timeliness
Type of data Start date End date Start date End date Start date End date
ISCED 0 beginning of December year t mid December year t mid December year t end of January year t + 1 beginning of April year t + 1 end of April year t + 1  
ISCED 100, 244, 254, 344, 351, 354 and 453 (Primary and lower secondary education, secondary education in all types of schools and vocational education after secondary education in vocational colleges) beginning of October year t mid October year t mid October year t mid December year t beginning of April year t + 1 end of April year t + 1  
ISCED 251, 351 and 453 (Vocational training against payment for obtaining a professional qualification from centres for vocational education, vocational gymnasiums, vocational colleges and vocational schools) beginning of January year t + 1 end of January year t + 1 end of January year t + 1 end of March year t + 1 beginning of April year t + 1 end of April year t + 1  
ISCED 6 and 7 (Tertiary education for acquiring professional bachelor's, bachelor's and master's degrees from colleges, universities and equivalent higher schools) mid November year t beginning of December year t beginning of December year t mid February year t + 1 beginning of April year t + 1 end of April year t + 1  
ISCED 8 beginning of January year t + 1 end of January year t + 1 end of January year t + 1 end of March year t + 1 beginning of April year t + 1 end of April year t + 1  
7.1.1. Time lag - first result

Not applicable (final data only).
7.1.2. Time lag - final result

Not applicable.
7.2. Punctuality

See below.
7.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication

The number of days between the delivery/release date of data and the target date on which they were scheduled for delivery/ release.

 

Submission dates for the latest reference year (academic year t-t+1, or financial year t)
Deadline for transmission of data: 30 September t+2 Deadline for transmission of data: 30 November of t+2
Enrolments Entrants Personnel Foreign languages learning Regional data Graduates Education expenditure
29/09 / t+2 29/09 / t+2 29/09 / t+2 29/09 / t+2 29/09 / t+2 29/11 / t+1 22/12 / t+2

 

If relevant,reasons for late delivery and action taken or planned for improving punctuality
Enrolments Entrants Personnel Foreign languages learning Regional data Graduates Education expenditure
             


8. Coherence and comparability Top
8.1. Comparability - geographical

The extent to which statistics are comparable between countries.

A. Deviations between the national methodology and the UOE Manual: non financial data

Reference period Data collection period Reference date for student and personnel ages
No deviations. School/academic year t, t+1 is used. No deviations. Data collection periods vary according to the different education levels and programmes. No deviations - 1st January 

 

Enrolment: data collection period Enrolment in multiple fields of education Count of students: if relevant, detailed list of variables for which double counting are significant and why. Regional enrolment Foreign languages learning
Only count once per year. A gradual inflow of the students enrolled does not exist. The enrolments are not pro-rated if they are studying in multiple fields of education. Not relevant. No deviations. No deviations, except the exclusion of adult education programmes.

 

Entrants New entrants by field of education Graduates from specific programmes Graduates by field of education
No deviations. The new entrants are not pro-rated in case of entering into multiple fields of education. No deviations. The number of graduates is introduced, instead of number of graduations. Graduating in multiple fields of education is not multiple counted if it is from one educational institution

 

Educational personnel in work- and school-based combined programmes Educational personnel taxonomy: classroom teachers (ISCED 0-4) and academic staff (ISCED 5-8) Educational staff at ISCED level 0 Educational personnel at ISCED levels 5-8 Educational personnel and temporary replacements
Not applicable  No deviations from the UOE manual. No deviations from the UOE manual. No deviations from the UOE manual. No deviations from the UOE manual.

 

B. Deviations between the national methodology and the UOE Manual: financial data

Expenditure at the pre-primary level - the childcare component
Reference period Expenditure at the pre-primary level: is the childcare component excluded (yes/no/partially)? If yes, which is exactly the share of "day care component" to be excluded from the data on the pre-primary level? If no, which estimation method is used to determine the share? Expenditure for teaching/academic hospitals Ancillary services expenditure Evening child care
No deviations from the UOE manual. Yes Only related to the the pre-primary educational programme articles (allocations) are included in the expenditure. No deviations. No deviations. Indeterminate expenditure are classified as ancillary services. No deviations. Educational institutions do not provide evening child care. 

 

Cost of a dual-system programme to the employer. Adjustment of enrolments in case there is no data on expenditure at the workplace Expenditure for contributions on pension schemes Households' payments for private tutering Student living costs Ancillary services coverage
Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable
8.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient

Not applicable.
8.2. Comparability - over time

The extent to which statistics are comparable or reconcilable over time.

 



 Main changes compared to data transmitted for the previous reference period
Enrolments Entrants Personnel Foreign languages learning Regional data Graduates Education expenditure
Changes in the educational system No. No. No. No. No. No.  No.
Changes in the coverage No.  No.  No.  No.  No.  No.   No.
Changes in the methodology No.  No.  No.  No. No.  Yes.  No.
Other changes No. No.  No.  No.  No.  Yes.  No.

 

Main changes over time
Type of data Detailed variables concerned Reference year(s) Changes Changes in the coverage Changes in the methodology Other changes
All tables

(questionnaires)

 ISCED 2 and 3 Since 2017/2018 school year (UOE 2019).

According to the new national regulation (Pre-school and School Education Act), years spent in lower secondary education are reduced from 4 to 3.  Thus basic education is acquired after 3 years of study after primary education (7 years in total). Upper secondary education is divided in two stages - first stage (3 years; 8, 9 and 10 grade), which cannot grant access to ISCED 4 or tertiary education; and second stage (2 years; 11 and 12 grade) with access to higher education levels (ISCED 4, 6, 766). It is possible a transition from/to vocational and general programmes between the two stages. Data are impacted as follows:

  • Foundation of new educational programmes  - 342 (General - Sufficient for partial level completion, without access to tertiary)  and 352 (Vocational - Sufficient for partial level completion, without access to tertiary);
  • Decreased number of enrollments in ISCED 2 and inncreased number of enrollments in ISCED 3 in comparison to the previous year;
  • Increased number of new entrants in ISCED 3;
  • Increased number of graduates in ISCED 2 for school year 2017;
  • Decreased number of personnel in ISCED 2 and increased number of personnel in ISCED 3 in comparison to the previous year;
  • Decreased number of grades (classes) in ISCED 2 and increased number of grades (classes) in ISCED 3 in comparison to the previous year.

Break in time series.

      
Graduates ISCED 1 to 4 since 2020/2021 school year (UOE 2022)  

From the academic year 2020/2021 there is a break in the time series due to a change of the data source and the reference date. The data are partially comparable with previous school years.

New reference date - December, 1.

New data source: The National Electronic System for Preschool and School Education maintained by the Ministry of Education and Science.

    New reference date - December, 1.  New data source - administrative data
8.2.1. Length of comparable time series

ISCED 1997:

From 2003 to 2012;

 

ISCED 2011:

From 2013 for ISCED levels 0, 1, 4, 6-8;

From 2013 to 2018 for ISCED levels 2 and 3;

From 2019 for ISCED levels 2 and 3;
8.3. Coherence - cross domain

The extent to which statistics are reconcilable with those obtained through other data sources or statistical domains.

 

Name of the national publication Coherence issues
Not applicable NSI is in charge of providing and publishing official education data. There are not any other official data sources outside NSI.
8.4. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics

Not available
8.5. Coherence - National Accounts

The extent to which statistics are reconcilable with National Accounts.

 

Calculation method Scope of education
Data from National accounts are used for private education expenditure (Finance tables). There are differnces between National accounts and UOE methodology.
8.6. Coherence - internal

Carried out quality tests, mainly on the coherency of the gathered information.


9. Accessibility and clarity Top
9.1. Dissemination format - News release

National results are disseminated with a regular press release on the internet site (www.nsi.bg).
9.2. Dissemination format - Publications

Publications:

  • Education in the Republic of Bulgaria;
  • Statistical Yearbook;
  • Statistical Yearbook in infographics;
  • Statistical Reference Book;
  • Bulgaria - pocketbook;
  • Regions, districts and municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria.

Internet:

  • www.nsi.bg
  • Information System INFOSTAT: http://infostat.nsi.bg
9.3. Dissemination format - online database

Information System INFOSTAT



Annexes:
Information System INFOSTAT
9.3.1. Data tables - consultations

Not avaliable. National data tables, published on the internet site and online database are accompanied with metadata and methodological notes.
9.4. Dissemination format - microdata access

In accordance with the internal Rules for Provision of Anonymised Individual Data for Scientific and Research purposes.
9.5. Dissemination format - other

Information services upon request in accordance to the internal Rules for Dissemination of Statistical Products and Services.
9.6. Documentation on methodology

Methodological notes are published on the internet site and online database (ANNEX 1).
9.7. Quality management - documentation

Metadata is published on the internet site and online database.
9.7.1. Metadata completeness - rate

Not available
9.7.2. Metadata - consultations

Not available


10. Cost and Burden Top

Indication of the cost associated with the collection and production of a statistical product and burden on respondents.

 

Time spent (in working days) Comments
150 working days in full time equivalent Non-finance data
75 working days in full time equivalent Finance data


11. Confidentiality Top
11.1. Confidentiality - policy

Law on Statistics;

Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
11.2. Confidentiality - data treatment

In compliance with the Law on Statistics (Articles 25 and 26).


12. Comment Top

For more information about the methodology of education statistics: https://www.nsi.bg/sites/default/files/files/metadata/Edu_Meth_en.pdf


Related metadata Top


Annexes Top
Annex 1 - Provisions for language learning 2021 – Bulgaria
Annex 2 - ISCED Mapping for schoolyear 2020/2021 (UOE2022) – Bulgaria