BULGARIAN SCHOOL SYSTEM INTRODUCTION The Bulgarian educational system

BULGARIAN SCHOOL SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION The Bulgarian educational system covers: Pre - school education – not compulsory; School education; Includes basic (compulsory), secondary & higher education;

Pre - school education • For children between the age of 3 and the start of basic education 6(7) years; • The state doesn’t have, the necessary number of kinder garden for all the children yet; • Pre-schools, both private and state are for children aged 5(6) years; • In elementary school exists an option called “zanimalnya”. The pupils do their lessons under the control of a teacher.

Pre - school education Aims: v Stimulate the children’s skills, and encourage their development; v Promote integration in different social groups; v Develop expressive and communication skills; v Encourage hygienic and healthy habits;

Basic education It's universal, compulsory and free of charge and directed to children aged 6(7) and 14 years. It lasts 8 years and is spread over 2 cycles: 1 st cycle – for 4 years – one teacher, it is called Primary School; 2 nd cycle – for 4 years – every subject has its own teacher in the Secondary School; The School day begins at 8 am and finishes at about 14 pm (for Primary and Secondary school);

The education in Bulgaria is free of charge and students are obligated to go to school until they are 16 years old. The school year is divided into 2 terms and begins on 15 th of September and it ends in May or June, depending on the grade.

Secondary education • For pupils who have completed basic education; • Lasts for 4 years; • compulsory- until students reach 16 The Secondary education can be divided into : - Secondary general (4 years); - Profile oriented (5 years); Students can enter the profile - oriented schools upon completion of grade 7(8) after passing extra examinations (according to the profile of the school).

SCHOOL TIME The school year starts on 15 th September and it ends on: - 15 th 24 th 30 th 15 th 30 th May for 12 th grade; May for 1 st grade; May for grades from 2 nd to 4 th; June for grades from 5 th to 8 th; June for grades 9 th to 11 th; Bulgaria uses the numerals grading system of which: The highest mark is six(6); The lowest mark is two (2);

HIGHER EDUCATION Higher education comprises university education and polytechnic education; Access is submitted to a number of requirements (numerous clauses) and admission is done by competition; Students must have a diploma of Secondary education and do exams in specific subjects;

CHANGES IN THE EDUCATION ACT

Made by: STUDENTS AND TEACHERS FROM NEOFIT RILSKI HIGH SCHOOL KNEZHA, BULGARIA Comenius project: “Hand in hand for a wonderful land”