The most recent data on the exact number of Bulgaria’s population dates to 2006, when, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI), there were a total of 7 679 290 Bulgarians living in the country. This is the lowest number since 1990, when the population was 8 669 269. This negative trend has been reflected in the number of people enrolled in Bulgarian educational institutions and in the number of institutions themselves. read more

A belief that children are unique individuals with unique personalities and needs is the basis for ABC KinderCare Centre’s educational approach. The English-language Sofia pre-school/kindergarten believes that a child learns best through exploring the world around him or her, with adults encouraging and guiding growth and development. read more

Unfortunately, low salaries have become a synonym for teachers’ pay in Bulgaria. A check done by The Sofia Echo showed that a primary school teachers' average salary is about 340 leva. This applies only to those who hold a university diploma for teaching. If a lawyer, for example, wanted to start working as a teacher but lacked the qualification course, he would get 80 per cent of that amount. The high number of teachers, however, has made it impossible for the state to allocate more money for salary increases than the budget allows. read more

Keeping proper statistics about the number of students who have dropped out of school is not easy. When Bulgaria was a people’s republic in 1947 to 1989, no such data was available, simply because the regime did its best to keep everybody in school and at work. That was why it took Bulgaria’s post-communism governments years to even start noticing the problem that today everybody acknowledges. There isn’t a single statistic that shows exactly how many students drop out every year – and it is not easy to keep such statistics, in part because this number changes every week, Tsveta Bresnichka, chairperson of Roditeli (Parents) Association, which is heavily involved in the issue, said. She said that about 30 000 students aged over 16 years old drop out of school every year. Other statistics, such as a survey published by Vitosha Research in February 2007, said that about 55.2 per cent of students in primary schools would drop out of school. Of them, 79 per cent were Roma, 10 per cent of Turkish decent and seven per cent ethnic Bulgarian. read more

Frank and Ruth Munsey have resided in the Chicago/north-west Indiana area for the past 56 years. They have four children, nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Before coming to Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1991, they founded and operated a private school in north-west Indiana for 15 years. Observing the economic and social devastation of Eastern Europe, the Munseys were drawn to Bulgaria particularly. During their very first visit, as they observed so many needs, they organised efforts to bring supplies to the medical community and other humanitarian needs. read more

At the Anglo-American School of Sofia (AAS), respect for the student sets the foundation for 21st-century education. Educators translate their job into facilitating and equipping individuals to be life-long learners. There is an obvious commitment here to prepare the next generation for effective and dynamic partnerships in the world that it is inheriting. Ecologically minded, charity oriented, partnership driven, this school views education as an integrated and holistic journey, not as a textbook that leads to a test. read more

I’ve been living in Bulgaria now for about 10 years, but I never cease to be amazed at the difference when you leave the city and venture into the countryside. In the villages, it can be like stepping back in time 50 years or so. Although there are now many cars and, for the older villager, his horse and cart provides transport, the land is often cultivated by hand or with donkey and plough, and it’s not unusual to see old folks walking home at night with hand tools over their shoulders. Shepherds graze animals on free land around the village and then bring them home in the evening. Old peasant ladies wearing traditional village dress sit on street benches in the evening sunshine, watching the world go by, chattering about the day’s events and, these days of course, what was on the television last night. read more

Iron Man may not be the best-known and -loved boy fantasy of a super hero, but it may well turn out to be the best loved comic book movie for all those not seduced by this bizarre and most profitable of cinematic genres. Yes, Iron Man has super hero origins in the mould of the opening outings of any aspiring monster franchise. The odd and brilliant thing is that it is also a wonderfully entertaining and insightful film in its own right. It is possible to lie well outside the target demographic of 14-year-old boys with daydreams of poetic retribution and still have a darn good time in the cinema as you watch your prejudices against the allegedly infantile popcorn fun being resoundingly brushed aside. read more

Germany’s Literature Colloquium Berlin (LCB) offers a thought-provoking agenda every evening. Choosing between readings, theatrical performances and concerts can present a difficult choice. In addition to the huge number of local cultural institutions on display you can also see international ensembles, famous musicians and other visiting artists. One such unforgettable recent event occurred when Bulgarian writer Georgi Gospodinov addressed the LCB’s lecture hall at the Wannsee Lake. read more