A mother at Rakovina kindergarten in Burgas has filed a complaint saying teachers in her child's group regularly collect cash from parents for toys and supplies, even though the mayor has banned it. She wants to stay anonymous, fearing her child will suffer for it.

Her child is in the "Moryacheta" group. The mother says the teachers sometimes buy what's needed themselves, then ask parents to pay them back in cash, instead of putting the costs through the kindergarten's official budget. The money goes toward toys for the playroom, equipment for the yard, and school and everyday supplies.

She has attached seven screenshots to her complaint, showing the parents' Viber group and private messages with the two teachers. The messages list what's needed and tell parents to pay through the parents' fund. She says the messages show how the money is collected and tracked, and insists this is not some voluntary parent initiative.

The complaint also says children are treated differently depending on their family background. Parents are asked to come in and tell the group what job they do, the mother says, and afterwards teachers treat families differently based on their profession and social standing. She calls this money-grabbing and shameful for educators.

Kindergarten director Dimitrichka Gospodinova said by phone that she knew what the story was about, but no one had called her about it yet, and asked for it to be held. She promised to come to the newsroom within 10 minutes, but had still not shown up three hours later. On a second call, she referred questions to the municipality's press office.

In September 2016, mayor Dimitar Nikolov signed an order banning municipal kindergartens from taking money from parents, covering sanitary and hygiene supplies, toys, teaching materials, repairs, equipment and furnishings. The rule was repeated in 2020, when the administration reminded directors and teachers that parents should not be covering these costs.

Guidance issued by Burgas council in 2016 says every complaint gets checked, and a director can face disciplinary action if a breach is found. Kindergartens can accept money parents give voluntarily, but only through the proper process and with a donation document.

The mother wants the council to look into the case and remove the teachers and the director. The kindergarten is one of the largest in central Burgas, with more than 300 children.

A response from Burgas council is expected the following day.