In Bulgaria’s most prospering school classrooms remain open during school holidays. Pupils do not go head-to-head away after they hear the last school bell but give some time to their favorite subjects while parents remain close and ready to assist them.

The most progressive school for 2017 is located in the Gorno Ezerovo neighborhood of the Black Sea port of Burgas, and every morning 480 Roma children duly take their seats in its neat classrooms.

Vasil Levski school in Burgas (providing primary and secondary education) has received a few prizes but the most valuable one is probably the latest – for the fastest prospering school. The prize has been received for showing greatest advancement in graduation tests after the seventh grade and thanks to it the school will be equipped with a virtual classroom providing access to diverse educational information.

“The pupils are busy not only on weekdays, but also during holidays, which means that studies go on without interruption at school”, says school principal Venelina Andreeva. “This is very important to us because we think that children should be fully involved in the learning process, during and after classes, so that they would be able to handle the Bulgarian language properly in any situation. And since their Bulgarian vocabulary is too limited, our main task is to enrich it continually in the different spheres of study.”

Although all pupils at school come from minorities they visit classes quite regularly. Teachers often visit the Roma neighborhood and engage in dialogue with parents to persuade them to make sure their children get proper education.

„In minority groups disinterest is a big issue. Yet, there is a solution and in this we rely on extra-curricular activities”, the principal explains. “For this purpose we try to see what the interests of pupils are and then give them the chance of choosing an extra-curricular activity. The school has state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. In principle, when there are suitable premises and interactive methods of work, children show interest and involvement. Every classroom has a multimedia projector, a laptop for the teacher and an interactive board. We have a WiFi connection across the school and my colleagues work with electronic textbooks that are attractive for the pupils. Children love the interaction, and even little boys and girls use an interactive pen. In the innovative classes starting from the first grade we plan to introduce learning that involves tablets.”

Venelina Andreeva contends that up-to-date methods of teaching are accessible due to budget funding, but also with support from various projects that however are not always funded. Apart from good fund management, communication is of paramount importance for the school’s success: communication with other schools in the country so that problem solving is not limited to the local level alone, as well as with parents.

„Good communication with parents has very positive results”, Venelina Andreeva says. “When you calm them down and explain to them not to be aggressive and not to blame the school for any trouble their kids run into, they tend to trust you and then they contribute their trust to the process and assist school activities. In every class there is a group of parents to work with to the benefit of the school. We want to include them in various activities at school especially different initiatives, campaigns and celebrations. We do not want them to be a passive audience but rather active participants. And so far they have done well.”

After completing the seventh grade most of the pupils from Vasil Levski school continue their education in vocational high schools. The principal worries a lot over the fact that girls marry too young and stop visiting schools. However, she is optimistic that with time she will be able to contribute to changing these mindsets so common in the Roma community. „Well, we should in no way try to make them different. Our mission is to preserve their customs and culture and prevent confrontation based on ethnicity. I think that some changes have started happening in that regard – though very slowly and with great difficulty” concludes school principal Venelina Andreeva.

English Daniela Konstantinova

Photos: private library