Recognizing Bulgarian language proficiency certificates as a document certifying foreign language proficiency in the EU countries – that is the big objective of the diplomatic efforts of Bulgarian politicians with regard to the education of Bulgarian children living abroad.

The efforts in this direction were launched with the initiative of the Association of Bulgarian Schools Abroad – the “smaller languages petition”. The petition was submitted to the European Parliament and was deemed advisable by the council of ministers of education with regard to language study and examinations within the educational systems of the various countries.

“It is still a recommendation but in the sphere of education it is difficult to have anything that is obligatory – every European country has autonomy in this sphere,” said Irina Vladikova, headmistress of the St. Cyril and St. Methodius Bulgarian School in Vienna, and chair of the Association of Bulgarian Schools Abroad for Radio Bulgaria. “The realistic aim is for the Bulgarian language proficiency certificate to be recognized as valuation of knowledge of a foreign language, and to provide a privilege at university – exemption from the study of a fourth foreign language. We very much hope that this will happen.”

“The transition from secondary to higher education of Bulgarian children living abroad is a new highlight in the work of our association,” said Irina Vladikova at the 12^th conference of the Association of Bulgarian Schools Abroad in Plovdiv on 27 July. Representatives of more than 60 schools from all parts of the globe met in the European capital of culture, Plovdiv, to formulate their priorities. They were acquainted with the new elements in Bulgarian language training, and the study of history and geography of Bulgaria at schools abroad. The new study aids published specifically for the needs of the educational establishments outside Bulgaria were also presented. For the first time teachers from schools abroad took part in the development of these aids.

According to PM Boyko Borissov, proficiency in the Bulgarian language is proving an obstacle to the return to the country of Bulgarian families with second or third generation children.

“Salaries are not the only obstacle. That is why you are so important to me – to provide children outside the country tuition in the Bulgarian language, so that their parents can make the decision to return to Bulgaria,” said the prime minister, addressing the teachers, and promised an increase of no less than two million Leva in the state funding for Bulgarian schools around the world. The government is assuming the commitment to act, at a diplomatic level, to provide buildings for the schools.

“Assisting Bulgarian weekend schools is an example of good policy in the past 10-11 years. At that time there were 50 weekend schools, now there are 350. We have reached out to more than 30,000 children, and every year we add more schools, we extend the range of children who attend them, add different activities that we finance,” said Minister of Education Krasimir Valchev. “It is important for the children to feel a bond with Bulgaria, so we are launching a partnership programme between schools in Bulgaria and Bulgarian schools abroad for popularizing Bulgarian education and motivating these children to come back to the country as university students. We shall also amend the decree on admission to state universities – we shall recognize the results of matriculation exams in other countries as entry results to Bulgarian universities, plus the Bulgarian language certificate according to the European Framework of Reference of Languages (CEFR). The Bulgarian weekend schools exist because parents want their children to be part of Bulgaria’s language and cultural environment.”

Visa facilitation for students and an e-platform for applying to Bulgarian higher establishments of learning are some of the measures that will make it easier for young people to apply from abroad, added Minister Valchev, and pointed out that education is the main reason why 17 to 25 year-olds emigrate from Bulgaria.

“You are part of Bulgaria’s cultural diplomacy, and the schools you head are the

showcase of Bulgarian education,” said vice President Iliana Iotova at the conference, and added that “without additional, motivated efforts by the state, we cannot preserve the Bulgarian self-awareness of the children living in other countries.”

Vice President Iotova added that together with President Rumen Radev, they are organizing a national forum for Bulgarians around the world, with a focus on schools abroad.