The article presents the results of a French-Bulgarian study of the professional competencies of the teachers. The authors analyse only one aspect of these competences, namely their conceptions on the development and education of pupils. The article looks for the answer to the question which psychological and pedagogical theories can explain the teachers’ perceptions of professional competence, trained in two different educational philosophies and systems. It reaches conclusions that confidence in the professional knowledge, skills and competencies of Bulgarian teachers are more independent in comparison with the perceptions of their French colleagues.