At the Central Level

The Ministry of Education and Science is the administrative body that assists the Minister of Education and Science in exercising their powers. The Minister is the sole central executive authority responsible for implementing state policy in the field of education and science.

The Minister exercises their powers in accordance with the Constitution and national laws by:

• Implementing state policy and developing strategies for education and science in alignment with European Union policies.
• Overseeing state investment policy and allocating budget funds for the sector.
• Coordinating models for management, structure, and resource allocation.
• Developing national programs for secondary and higher education, as well as qualification and retraining initiatives.
• Directing the management of state property and the development of technical infrastructure for education.
• Coordinating social policy regarding employment and income levels within the system.
• Managing staffing, administrative support, and the implementation of information technologies.
• Representing the Republic of Bulgaria in international educational and scientific organizations.

The National Inspectorate of Education (NIE), under the Council of Ministers, is responsible for the external inspection of kindergartens and schools. It provides an independent assessment of educational quality and is led by a Director appointed by the Prime Minister.

At the Regional Level

28 Regional Education Directorates:

These are territorial administrative bodies under the authority of the Minister of Education and Science, located in each of the country’s 28 regions. Their primary tasks include:

• Creating conditions for the implementation of state educational policy within the region.
• Coordinating interaction between educational institutions, local self-government bodies, and regional employer/worker organizations.
• Monitoring compliance with state educational standards, the Law on Preschool and School Education (LPSE), and the Law on Vocational Education and Training (LVET).

Municipalities

Municipalities play a key role in the local administration and organization of education. Their responsibilities include:

• Managing public preschool and school institutions within their territory and coordinating state-funded kindergartens and schools.
• Maintaining school infrastructure and improving material conditions.
• Planning the local school network, including opening, merging, or closing institutions to ensure access in smaller towns and villages.
• Participating in financial management at the local level based on national funding rules.

Management of Higher Education

The state, through the Ministry of Education and Science, guarantees the academic autonomy of higher education institutions while ensuring quality through the following measures:

• Subsidizing education at state higher education institutions and providing student social benefits (scholarships, hostels, and dining halls).
• Maintaining a system for student loans to cover tuition and living expenses.
• Determining conditions for the state recognition of diplomas issued in Bulgaria and abroad.

The National Agency for Evaluation and Accreditation is a specialized state body responsible for quality control. It evaluates and accredits programs for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees. The Agency monitors the capacity of institutions to maintain high research and teaching standards in accordance with the guidelines of the European Higher Education Area.