is the highest possible mark. Generally, anything under 3.00 is considered a fail. These points are mainly used when grading tests which give specific points per correct answer. Educational behaviour Following "numerous reports over the past decade about school violence", the Education Minister in 2009 introduced stricter regulations about student behaviour, including inappropriate dress, being drunk, and carrying mobile phones. Teachers were to be given new powers to punish disruptive students. Literacy In tradition, Bulgaria has very high knowledge and literacy rate, with usually trying to follow best study destination countries, schools and universities. In 2003 Bulgaria’s literacy rate was estimated at 98.6 percent, with approximately the same rate for both sexes. Bulgaria traditionally has had high educational standards. In the post-communist era, low funding and low teacher morale have damaged the system to some extent, particularly in vocational training. Adherence to classical teaching methods has handicapped development in some technical fields. The current system of education, introduced in 1998, has 12 school grades. In 2003, one year of preschool education was made mandatory, and in 2012 this was extended to two mandatory years of preschool education. See also List of schools in Bulgaria List of universities in Bulgaria Education in Europe References External links Eurydice Summary Factsheet on Education Systems in Europe on Bulgaria Upper Secondary Education Background in Bulgaria Bulgarian Education The Education in Bulgaria, Eurybase Bulgarian Education Law Bulgarian Education System Organization Chart Structure of Education System in Bulgaria, Europrean Education website