site.btaBulgaria, Ukraine to Expand Bulgarian Language Classes Taught in Ukrainian Schools

Sofia, November 1 (BTA) - Bulgarian Education Minister Krassimir Vulchev and his Ukrainian counterpart Lilia Grinevich agreed measures to expand Bulgarian language classes taught in Ukrainian schools. They agreed to sign an intergovernmental document to set out the commitments.

The Bulgarian community and the Bulgarian government are following closely the implementation of the Education Act which settles mother tongue classes for minorities in Ukraine. Vulchev once again received assurances by the Ukrainian Education Ministry that the adopted act does not limit but creates conditions to expand mother tongue classes for the 200,000 strong Bulgarian community in Ukraine.

Later the two ministers unveiled a classroom for interactive language learning at 31st school on Odessa where Bulgarian classes were introduced from this year.

Vulchev described the meeting with Gronevich and the school visit as an expression of the good will of Ukraine towards the possibilities for the Bulgarian community to study Bulgarian.

In response to an increased interest in Bulgarian, the Bulgarian and Ukrainian authorities are mulling the establishment of a new Ukrainian-Bulgarian school, said Vulchev. Two Bulgarian teachers have been posted to 31st school in Odessa and Bulgaria has already equipped eight classrooms for digital language learning. According to him, there is a increasing interest among Ukrainian pupils to study at academic establishments in Bulgaria. Bulgarian is taught in 42 schools across Ukraine. Bulgarian organizations are holding 57 Sunday schools which teach Bulgarian history, folklore, geography etc.

Vulchev said that Bulgaria acknowledges the goodwill of the Ukrainian authorities towards the Bulgarian minority and views it as a key element of bilateral relations. He extended an invitation to his Ukrainian counterpart Grinevich to visit Bulgaria for the signing of the intergovernmental document.