Education in Bulgaria

The state and private higher education schools, colleges and universities charge fees, although they offer students scholarships.

Because of the prior Bulgaria's low birthrate during the postcommunist period, total primary and secondary school enrollment was in a slightly decreased level in the beginning of the post-communist period, that was causing some reductions in teaching staff and facilities.

Modern schools began opening in the early 19th century (during the National Revival) first for boys and then for girls.

After Bulgaria overturned the Ottoman rule in 1878, it started laying the foundations of its educational system.

[5] During the communist era, the Soviet Union had a great impact on Bulgarian educational system.

In 1979 Zhivkov created the Unified Secondary Polytechnical School, which was a twelve-grade program focusing mainly on technical subjects.

High schools use grades from the Certificate for Elementary Education as a major admissions criterion.

Usually, those who want to study languages, mathematics, or informatics in-depth apply to high school after 7th grade.

Students graduating from high-school must successfully complete 12 Grade and sit matriculation exams in Bulgarian language and Literature, as well as one (or two) subject(s) of choice.

Universities, as in most countries worldwide, have three stages: Bachelor's (undergraduate), Master's (graduate), and Doctoral degrees.

Specialized higher schools offer degrees in one or more areas of science, arts, sports, and defense.

The curriculum of Bulgarian Educational system focuses on eight main subjects: Bulgarian language and literature, foreign languages, mathematics, information technologies, social sciences and civics, natural sciences and ecology, music and art, physical education and sports.

The school year starts on September 15 and ends in May or June, depending on the grade level of the students.

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.

[9] Traditionally, Bulgaria has had a very high knowledge and literacy rate, while usually trying to follow the best study destination countries, schools and universities.

Adherence to classical teaching methods has handicapped development in some technical fields.