Vladimir Kolev, co-founder of EdTech Bulgaria and Managing Director of Klett Bulgaria
What is the role of technology in education today, in your opinion?
Technology has already become a natural part of the educational environment. It is transforming the way knowledge is created and acquired, making learning more personalized, accessible, and engaging. However, it is important to emphasize that technology does not replace teachers. Rather, it is a tool that expands the capabilities of good educators and enables them to work more effectively with their students.
What skills or competencies do students develop thanks to technology?
Technology supports the development of key skills such as digital literacy, critical thinking, problem solving, and teamwork. It also encourages independent learning. Students gain access to a wide range of resources and tools that allow them to explore, experiment, and learn more actively. Technology helps them accomplish more in less time. More broadly, it also fosters a culture of lifelong learning—an ability that is increasingly important in the modern world.
Where does Bulgaria stand in terms of technology in education?
Over the past decade, Bulgaria has made significant progress. Digital resources and learning platforms are developing, and more and more schools are using technology in the learning process.
However, there are still differences between schools and regions. The next important step is to integrate technology more systematically—not only as infrastructure, but as part of everyday teaching practice. A common example is a school with several generations of computers, whiteboards, and other devices that become outdated without being actively used.
What are the most common barriers to implementing technology in education and how can they be overcome?
The most common barriers are related to the lack of a clear implementation strategy, infrastructure, and teacher training.
Investments in technology are important, but they are not sufficient on their own. They need to be guided by a comprehensive strategy that defines what each school aims to achieve, what stages need to be followed, and what investments are required. Equally important are teacher training, methodological support, and high-quality educational content that makes technology truly useful in the classroom.
How does your company contribute to improving education and implementing technology in Bulgaria?
Klett Bulgaria is a leading educational publisher that for more than ten years has been developing diverse, high-quality, and practical digital educational content. Our goal is both to support teachers in their everyday work and to make learning more interesting, engaging, and accessible for students.
You are one of the founders of EdTech Bulgaria. Why and how did you decide to create it?
We founded EdTech Bulgaria because there are strong companies and experts in the country working in educational technologies and educational content. We wanted to create a common platform that brings them together and provides opportunities for collaboration. The cluster enables cooperation, exchange of experience, and the development of joint initiatives that support the growth of the EdTech sector in Bulgaria.
What does EdTech Bulgaria offer to organizations, users, and the Bulgarian education system?
EdTech Bulgaria creates an environment for partnerships between companies, educational organizations, and institutions. This helps innovations reach schools and learners more easily and contributes to building a stronger and more visible EdTech ecosystem in Bulgaria.
What does the Bulgarian EdTech environment need most today?
Today, the Bulgarian EdTech environment needs a stronger ecosystem and more opportunities for collaboration between business, education, and institutions.
There is also a need for a better environment for piloting and implementing innovations in real educational settings, as well as greater international visibility for Bulgarian solutions.
What kind of support is lacking for EdTech companies in Bulgaria?
The EdTech sector has its own specific characteristics because it lies at the intersection of technology and education. For this reason, it is important to have mechanisms that support both product development and their implementation in the education system. The education system is a regulated environment, and access to it is largely centralized. Therefore, mechanisms are needed to facilitate the testing, evaluation, implementation, and financing of new EdTech solutions.
What advice would you give to startups in the education sector?
For any startup, the most natural—and most important—step is to begin by solving a real educational problem. It is essential to work closely with teachers and educational institutions, because that is where it becomes clear whether a solution is truly useful. And finally, think long-term. In education, trust and impact are built over time.
Can Bulgaria become a leader in EdTech, and in which areas?
Bulgaria has very good prerequisites: a strong technology community, highly skilled professionals, and solid educational traditions. I see particular potential in digital educational content, tools for teachers, and STEM solutions. With the right ecosystem, Bulgaria can become a significant source of innovation in educational technologies.
How do you imagine the future of education in Bulgaria and the role of technology?
In the future, education will become more personalized, flexible, and focused on developing skills. Technology will support this process through better feedback, greater access to high-quality content, and more opportunities for individualized learning. However, the most important factor will remain teachers. The best education systems are those that combine technology, high-quality content, and strong educators.