Unofficial data says that about 200 Bulgarian families have opted for their kids not to visit school. Parents educate them by themselves, as they disapprove of the official standards. The Association for Home Based Learning hopes that the state will regulate such training and the children will have the right to hold matriculation and go to university without a high school diploma.
Unfortunately, homeschoolers in this country are trained under foreign distance learning programs with a list of universities across the globe attached to those, where such students can continue with their higher education. Bozhidara, Petar and Maya are such students, who have no school bells, exams, breaks, terms or holidays. Their mom Radoslava Petkova is a member of the Association and their home-based tutor.

“I am an expert in history and find it easier to teach humanities, while math, physics etc. are my husband’s territory. We also use the services of private teachers. Homeschooling is a way of life. There are no fixed classes, we start with games, reading of books, explanations, walks among nature and meetings with different people. We need to introduce a new kind of structure as of the 4th grade, because kids should be ready for high school. There is a lot more to learn and that is why we use a distance learning programme that is completely open for the entire world. We buy textbooks from book stores. The kids do online tests. They can participate in competitions, in order to check their achievements. I think they are doing well and each of them has interests in certain subjects. One of my daughters shows a music talent, they all do some sports. They simply like it this way, with this variety.”

However, the state doesn’t recognize officially homeschooling. What are the chances for such kids to cover the high school criteria?
“Home-based education is not regulated in Bulgaria right now. We don’t want to give up our current freedom, which is necessary, in order for the kids to be able to study the things they find most interesting. When they complete the distance learning programme in the 12th grade they will have a diploma for US schools. So, if they want to go to a Bulgarian university, they will have the chance to apply as foreign students. If they want to study abroad, they will do the respective tests…”

Does homeschooling bring satisfaction and what are its advantages?
“Nothing is more thrilling to a parent than to see his child start walking, reading the first words, asking the first questions", Radoslava Petkova further explains. "I am satisfied to see all this. This is a completely normal educational alternative. The flexible syllabus that complies with the abilities and interests of the student is the main advantage. We pay individual attention and the teacher, i.e. the parent can get a quick feedback and make corrections. We don’t have unhappy people. If we don’t like a textbook, we look for another one, even in a different language. That is why our kids study English intensively, so that they can use a wider range of tools. The free environment is another advantage, we don’t face risks such as aggression, drugs etc. Yes, there is always a kind of compromise and in this case it is the certain loss of contacts with coevals. This is our informed choice, but we see freedom as something more important.”

English version: Zhivko Stanchev