Education in Bulgaria is mainly supported by the state, through the Ministry of Education and Science. Most of the schools in Bulgaria are state or municipal schools. They are free and students don’t have to pay any fees. There are also private schools, which are expensive. The school year starts on 15 September, and pupils study on a morning and afternoon shift basis over two terms. In 1878 the government passed the

Temporary Law on National Schools.Several universities were established in the period 1878 – 1918.During the communist era, the Soviet Union had a great impact on Bulgarian educational system.After the end of the Zhivkov Era (1979), the Bulgarian educational system was completely reconstructed.

a short historya short historyThe first schools in Bulgaria began opening in the early nineteenth century first for boys and then for girls.

Structure of the Educational SystemStructure of the Educational System The system consists of four levels:

Pre-School Education, Primary Education, Basic Education, Secondary EducationPre-School Education, Primary Education, Basic Education, Secondary Education

Pre-School Education

Pre-school education embraces children between 3 and 6/7 years old. The attendance of kindergarten is optional. Most of the kindergartens are state (95%). There are also private ones and their number is growing.

grade

Primary education: 1Primary education: 1st st - 4- 4thth grade grade

In Bulgaria students start to go to school at the age of 7. Primary education comprises I – IV grade.

Length of program in years: 4 Age level from: 7 to: 10Certificate/diploma awarded: Grade IV Leaving Certificate

Basic education: 5Basic education: 5thth-8-8thth grade grade

grade

Basic education comprises V – VIII grade. Length of program in years: 4 Age level from: 10 to 14Certificate/diploma awarded: Basic Education Completion Certificate

Secondary education: 9th-12th grade

Age level from: 14 to: 19Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma of Completed Secondary Education

Secondary education is four or five years long depending on the school specialisation. Admission after after 7-th or or 8-th grade, grade, Non-compulsory

Types: General: (4 years) Profiled: (4 or 5 years, entry exams): sports, languages, economics, mathematics, IT, arts Vocational : (4 or 5 years): technical or other

This ensures completion of basic education after Year Seven and compulsory Secondary education until Year Ten. As part of this programme, there is an increased number of foreign language and computer literacy classes as well as more vocational training from Year Seven to 12.

The majority of school graduates continue their education at universities in Bulgaria or abroad.

A new operational National Programme

A new operational National Programme was launched in 2006 for pre-school and school education. 

The system of education includes: 19 municipal general

schools 10 primary and 9

secondary 8 vocational state schools 2 private schools.

Let’s remember:Let’s remember: State, municipal or private schoolsState, municipal or private schools Pre-School Education:Pre-School Education: 3 to 6/7 years old Primary Education:Primary Education: 7 to10 Basic Education:Basic Education: 10 to 14 (Compulsory) Secondary Education:Secondary Education: 14 to 19 (Non-compulsory) Compulsory education is undertaken up to the age of Compulsory education is undertaken up to the age of 1144 (grade (grade 88).). Foreign language classes start at primary school, a Foreign language classes start at primary school, a second onesecond one is added in Year is added in Year NinthNinth.. The top mark in Bulgarian schools is a six, while the The top mark in Bulgarian schools is a six, while the lowest, alowest, a

fail, is a twofail, is a two.. Graduation exams:Graduation exams:

A) Bulgarian language and literatureA) Bulgarian language and literature B) Additional exam on subject from the general or B) Additional exam on subject from the general or profiledprofiled curriculumcurriculum

Diploma of Completed Secondary Education and Diploma of Completed Secondary Education and Certificate of Certificate of Professional Qualification.Professional Qualification.

‘‘This project has been funded with support from the This project has been funded with support from the

European Commission.European Commission.

This publication reflects the views only of the author, and This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.’which may be made of the information contained therein.’