The National Assembly Committee on Policies towards Bulgarians Living Abroad recently put to discussion several important issues: the education policy towards Bulgarian communities abroad in 2016, the increased number of openings at Bulgarian universities for our compatriots living abroad from 400 to 1,000. Attention also focused on the future status of Taraclia State University in Moldova, as well as the construction of a Bulgarian secondary school in Odessa, Ukraine.

The Bulgarian side would like to see Taraclia State University transformed into an affiliate to some Bulgarian higher school of learning. Putting such a project through quickly is vital as it would preserve and improve the quality of education there. A draft agreement with Moldova is expected to be exchanged some time in the coming four months.

As to the construction of a Bulgarian school in Odessa, the Ministry of Education says there are ample reasons for this to happen. Such a secondary school would cater for more than 120 students - justification enough to carry the project through. The idea is to build a secondary school, similar to the schools we have in Prague and Bratislava, ministry officials say.

Boris Vangelov, chairman of the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad explains:

“I would like to outline the positive steps the Bulgarian Ministry of Education has taken. First – a 45 percent increase in the scholarship for Bulgarians from the so-called historical communities of Bulgarians abroad studying in this country. The other big step in the right direction was the increase in the number of openings for Bulgarians living abroad to study at Bulgarian educational establishments. It should be borne in mind that this is a pilot year and many of the communities are not aware of this decision yet. The other important thing is that a directorate was set up at the Education Ministry in charge of Bulgarian schools abroad which helps make the contacts between them and the institution more intensive and meaningful. As to Taraclia State University, it is very important to preserve it, as it is connected with preserving the Bulgarian national identity of our compatriots there. Things have been moving in the right direction, with no obstacles on the part of Moldova. It is the only educational establishment of its kind outside Bulgaria, whose prime aim is to preserve the Bulgarian identity and it is only natural to expect rivalry with the Romanian side, even though the Bulgarians there are a historical reality this country has an obligation to take into account.”

English version: Milena Daynova