1. BULGARIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM

2. Bulgarian Education System Pre-school education and training School educationHigher education

3. School Education Primary educationSecondary education Elementary stage 1 st – 4 th grade (age 7 – 10) Pre-secondary stage 5 th – 8 th grade (age 11 – 14) Secondary Stage 9 th – 12 th grade (age 15 – 18) Education in Bulgaria is compulsory until the age of 16 Secondary Comprehensive Schools (1 st – 12 th grade) Specialized High Schools Vocational High Schools Sport Schools Art Schools (8 th - 12 th grade or 9 th - 12 th grade) Certificate for Secondary Education (School-leaving examinations) ElementaryJunior HighSchools 1 st – 4 th 5 th – 8 th Certificate for Primary Education

4. FORMS OF EDUCATION Daytime Daytime Evening Evening Extramural Extramural Correspondence Correspondence Individual Individual Self – dependent Self – dependent

5. Administration Ministry of Education, Youth and Science – Minister / Experts Ministry of Education, Youth and Science – Minister / Experts Regional Inspectorate of Education (RIE) – territorial administration for guidance and control - Head of RIE / Experts Regional Inspectorate of Education (RIE) – territorial administration for guidance and control - Head of RIE / Experts Municipality – Mayor → the chief director of the funds for the municipality, kindergartens, schools and operational sections Municipality – Mayor → the chief director of the funds for the municipality, kindergartens, schools and operational sections Kindergartens / Schools – Principal / (assistant principals) pedagogical personnel, administrative personnel and other employers Kindergartens / Schools – Principal / (assistant principals) pedagogical personnel, administrative personnel and other employers

6. Elements in the School Education System Delegated School Budgets Delegated School Budgets School Board of Trustees School Board of Trustees Career Development of Teachers Career Development of Teachers Central Schools Central Schools

7. Opportunities for Studying after Secondary Education College Education –Professional Colleges,Colleges of Medicine, Art Colleges → Graduates are awarded the Specialist Diploma College Education –Professional Colleges,Colleges of Medicine, Art Colleges → Graduates are awarded the Specialist Diploma Higher Education – Universities → Graduates are awarded → a Bachelor Diploma, a Master Diploma or a Doctor Diploma Higher Education – Universities → Graduates are awarded → a Bachelor Diploma, a Master Diploma or a Doctor Diploma