site.btaUkrainian Graduates from Bulgarian Schools Can Enrol at Bulgarian Universities - Education Minister

Ukrainian schoolchildren currently in the Bulgarian education system can benefit from several opportunities to enrol at Bulgarian higher education institutions, Minister of Education and Science Galin Tzokov said here on Friday in response to a parliamentary question.

Tzokov said: "If they are of Bulgarian nationality, according to an ordinance of the Council of Ministers, which refers to the education of persons of Bulgarian nationality from certain communities, they have the opportunity not only of free education, but also to have certain expenses covered. If they have acquired refugee status, they could also enrol in Bulgarian universities [...] and study free of charge. Within the framework of the Higher Education Act, they can study as foreign citizens, paying a certain fee." The Minister reported that meetings have been held in recent months with various organisations that support Ukrainian youth to search for options to change the legislation.

Tzokov said: "Many of the young Ukrainians, who are currently in Bulgaria, unfortunately are not in the Bulgarian education system, high school students in particular. They study remotely in Ukrainian schools. There are also problems related to the structure of the education systems, because the final grade in Ukraine is 11th, while in Bulgaria it is 12th grade. Today, there are 22 Ukrainians in the 12th grade in Bulgarian schools. If they pass the matriculation exams, they will be able to get a secondary education diploma in Bulgaria."