site.btaFunds for 2,400 Schools, 2,100-Plus Kindergartens to Be Allocated under Operational Programme - Prime Minister

Sofia, September 21 (BTA) - Educational establishments will receive 624 million leva for repairs and new sports facilities like gyms and swimming pools, equipment and energy efficiency. Funds under Operational Programme Regions in Growth will be allocated for 2,400 schools and over 2,100 kindergartens, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said here on Thursday.

He was speaking at the Council of Ministers where the operational programme was presented before mayors, school principals and rectors.

"There are two places that Bulgarians hold sacred: church and school. That is why the Government takes care of churches and monasteries, as well as of schools and kindergartens," Borissov said.

"European solidarity is very important to us, as is the fact that all European programmes are operating," the Prime Minister added. In his opinion, educational infrastructure supports the country's economic growth for many years to come.

Borissov called on the mayors to draft the procedures for funding applications quickly and correctly. With money from the increased budget revenues, the Government will continue to support schools. "In addition to being smart, the nation should be healthy and strong," he stressed. "There is already a shortage of both skilled and general workers. Why should these be imported from abroad when Bulgarian residents can be trained here," he pointed out.

If the resources of the operational programme are shared up, this makes 2,450 leva a child along European solidarity lines, Regional Development and Public Works Minister Nikolai Nankov said, speaking at the presentation.

Borissov also said the Government expects GDP to rise to 4 per cent.