This theme is intended to stimulate thinking about the need to move forward in education and recover from the globally lost face to face classroom and in some cases, any opportunity for learning and instruction, caused by the recent pandemic. At the same time, examine in depth our education systems as to their efficacy for present students and educators, bearing in mind UN SD Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

All presently available information from UN and UNESCO shows that this goal will not meet its 2030 target. This conference theme raises many questions as to how education has had to adjust to the recent unexpected challenges, how the world has to learn from the global crisis and  how the experiences and learning from the last few years can be used to create new and more robust education systems.

Many questions have arisen and the conference theme raises some of them and the possible solutions that might be offered.

Some questions that need to be addressed are:

• How can the position of educator be made more attractive so that the best possible people are keen to work in education, politically or in the teaching profession?
• How can the change in methods of instruction e.g. the move to online teaching/learning be embedded into future systems in a way that is inclusive and socially acceptable to all?
• Should we examine more closely how educators in schools and universities are trained, in order to acquire the necessary skills to deliver hybrid forms of instruction?
• How can the stark realities that many students were deprived of online learning, due to poor infrastructure, or lack of funds to afford it, or inadequate provision of sources of power, be addressed?
• What can and must be done to help raise provision and access to education in developing countries and the world at large?
• How can we move to education for all, particularly addressing the need to end the discrimination against girls and minority groups, also the effects of poverty on educational provision and uptake?

• Are the curricula offered globally preparing our students for a rapidly changing world, do we  need to change the content of what we offer to learners?
• How can parents be more closely involved in the education of their children and be supported to so do?
• What can be done to support students and educators to avoid isolation and accompanying mental stress in teaching and learning currently and instructing increased by the hybridisation of learning globally?
• How can the world embrace lifelong learning which is essential for all citizens in our changing world?
• How do we provide the resources and capacity worldwide to embrace this sudden changing world?

These are a few of the urgent issues which must be addressed, if the world is to face all the challenges which await in future and achieve the goals of UN Sustainable Development Goal 4.

Dr. Gillian L. S. Hilton

Dr. Elizabeth Achinewhu-Nworgu

(United Kingdom)

Local Organizing Committee

Conference Chair

Prof. Dr.habil. Nikolay Popov, Sofia University, Bulgaria

npopov@bces-conference.org

Members

Prof. Dr. Marinela Mihova, Veliko Turnovo University, Bulgaria

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marina Pironkova, Sofia University, Bulgaria

Gergana Sakarski, PhD Student, Sofia University, Bulgaria

Coordination

Kalina Popova, 12th Secondary School, Sofia, Bulgaria

International Program Committee

Prof. Dr. Charl Wolhuter, North-West University, South Africa

Dr. Louw de Beer, North-West University, South Africa

Dr. Gillian Hilton, Middlesex University, United Kingdom

Prof. Dr. James Ogunleye, Academy of Innovation & Management, United Kingdom

Dr Elizabeth Achinewhu-Nworgu, Ulster University, United Kingdom & Ireland

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ewelina K. Niemczyk, North-West University, South Africa

Dr. Anna Czyż, Pedagogical University of Cracow, Poland

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Oksana Chigisheva, Southern Federal University, Russia

Prof. Dr.habil. Nikolay Popov, Sofia University, Bulgaria

Prof. Dr. Hennie Steyn, North-West University, South Africa

Prof. Dr. Nicholas Sun-keung Pang, East China Normal University, China

Prof. Dr. Steve Azaiki, Institute of Science and Technology, Nigeria

About BCES

BCES Conferences

XX BCES Conference

Towards the Next Epoch of Education

Virtual Conference, 20 - 24 June 2022

XIX BCES Conference

New Challenges to Education: Lessons from Around the World

Virtual Conference, 22 - 25 June 2021

XVIII BCES Conference

Educational Reforms Worldwide

Virtual Conference, 23 - 26 June 2020

XVII BCES Conference

Glocal Education in Practice: Teaching, Researching, and Citizenship

Pomorie, Bulgaria, 11 - 14 June 2019

XVI BCES Conference

Education in Modern Society

Golden Sands, Varna, Bulgaria, 11 - 15 June 2018

XV BCES Conference

Current Business and Economics Driven Discourse and Education: Perspectives from Around the World

Borovets, Bulgaria, 20 - 23 June 2017

XIV BCES Conference

Education Provision to Every One: Comparing Perspectives from Around the World

Sofia, Bulgaria, 14 - 17 June 2016

XIII BCES Conference

Quality, Social Justice and Accountability in Education Worldwide

Sofia, Bulgaria, 10 - 13 June 2015

XII BCES Conference

Education’s Role in Preparing Globally Competent Citizens

Nessebar, Bulgaria, 15 - 20 June 2014

XI BCES Conference

Education in One World: Perspectives from Different Nations

Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 14 - 17 May 2013

X BCES Conference

International Perspectives on Education

Kyustendil, Bulgaria, 12 - 15 June 2012

IX BCES Conference

Comparative Education and Teacher Training

Sofia, Bulgaria, 5 - 9 July 2011

VIII BCES Conference

Comparative Education and Teacher Training

Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 9 - 12 June 2010

VII BCES Conference

Comparative Education and Teacher Training

Tryavna, Bulgaria, 29 June - 3 July 2009

VI BCES Conference

Comparative Education and Teacher Training

Sofia, Bulgaria, 1 - 4 July 2008

V BCES Conference

Comparative Education, Teacher Training and New Education Agenda

Sofia, Bulgaria, 28 - 31 August 2007

IV BCES Conference

Comparative Education and Teacher Training

Sofia, Bulgaria, 1 - 4 May 2006

III BCES Conference

Comparative Education in Teacher Training

Sofia, Bulgaria, 18 - 22 April 2005

II BCES Conference

Comparative Education in Teacher Training

Sofia, Bulgaria, 8 - 12 October 2003

I BCES Conference

Comparative Education in Teacher Training

Sofia, Bulgaria, 20 - 24 November 2002