The "Education" Syndicate proposes to the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) to amend its order and declare April 20, which is the day after the elections, a non-school and non-attendance day for students in all Bulgarian schools. This is stated in a statement from the syndicate, which specifies that the request was made in an open letter to the Council of Ministers, the MES, and the Ministry of Culture.
The request comes after a survey by the syndicate showed that 97.5% of respondents believe that the MES order for a school attendance day for students is inapplicable, given that a large part of the schools will be closed after the elections, and many teachers and principals will participate in commissions or as observers in the election process. Almost 70% of Bulgarian schools are used for polling stations.
The syndicate raises questions such as "Can the MES experts take the risk of unforeseen situations outside school buildings for all Bulgarian students?" and recalls that for May 24th, the day is traditionally a non-school day, but not an attendance day, despite the activity around the holiday.
The syndicate supports the proposal for April 20th to become an official holiday, but emphasizes the need to guarantee the health and safety of children. In addition, the "Education" syndicate expresses a position regarding the political situation, calling on politicians to stop speculating on the topic of the depoliticization of teachers.
The statement also raises questions to Bulgarian politicians about the interference in the appointment of principals, the exclusion of teachers from the commissions for the selection of principals, the "political" term of office for the position of principal, and other problems in the education system.
The caretaker Minister of Education, Prof. Dr. Sergey Ignatov, announced that April 20th will be an attendance day, but a non-school day, and that schools will mark the 150th anniversary of the April Uprising.