Bulgarian Educator: Children Fall Behind Soon After Starting School Amidst Opaque Tutoring Market

Nikolay Peev, founder of an educational platform, expresses concern that children are falling behind academically soon after entering school. He observes that the private tutoring sector in Bulgaria largely operates as an "underground business," lacking transparency in payments and teaching methods. This subjectivity means it's difficult to ascertain the quality or effectiveness of the tutoring provided.

Peev estimates that more than 150,000 children in Bulgaria annually require supplementary educational services to address academic deficiencies. He highlights the lack of regulation and oversight in the private tutoring market, where the quality of instruction and the qualifications of tutors are often unverified. This situation creates an environment where parents may struggle to find reliable and effective support for their children.

The current system, according to Peev, is characterized by a lack of standardization and accountability. The reliance on subjective assessments and informal arrangements means that the true impact of tutoring on a child's educational progress is difficult to measure. This lack of structure potentially hinders the ability of students to catch up and succeed in their formal schooling.