The retired Minister of Education and Science, Krasimir Valchev, announced what was found during the MES inspection of the school where the 15-year-old child, who became one of the victims near Okolchitsa, was enrolled.
“The principle of compulsory education is guaranteed by writing absences and observing regular attendance. In practice, the school has become an accomplice in not exercising the child’s right to education. It is guaranteed by the obligation of the parents, the state and the schools. In the past year 2024/2025, the child did not go to school 114 out of nearly 170 school days – nearly 2/3. Absences were not reported. This school year, the child did not go to school for almost all of September and December, half of October and November, and all of January,” Valchev reported.
It was established that the school did not make up the absences, which is a violation of the children’s right to education, the resigned minister pointed out. He added that in his opinion the school should be sanctioned. Valchev also explained that the Ministry of Education and Culture does not have the same powers as state and municipal schools, so the sanction can be deregistration.
Valchev also said that in order to be entered as a private school in the register, it showed the necessary teaching staff, after which it was replaced – only 6 remained from the original list. 50% of those holding the position of teacher are not teachers – they do not have teaching qualifications, added the minister in resignation. He specified that this is not illegal, but in state and municipal schools, if there is a person with a teaching qualification, they are obliged to take him before anyone else.
Valchev indicated that he could not say whether there are other students who sympathize with Ivaylo Kalushev’s group. The reason – the Ministry of Education and Culture cannot control extracurricular activities, camps and schools, but only private schools and kindergartens.
The resigned minister was categorical that no control was carried out by the RUO – Sofia region. And he added that probably the reason is that the school is not classified as more risky. An inspection was scheduled for this school year, Valchev also said.
The private school where the 15-year-old child who was killed near Okolchitsa studied: He was withdrawn from school at the request of the parents
The private school in which the 15-year-old child killed at Mount Okolchitsa was enrolled has issued an official statement to the media.
The letter states that in connection with information presented by the State Agency for Child Protection (DAZD) to the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria regarding an inspection carried out by the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) at the school, “we find it necessary to state the following official position in order to objectively inform the public and prevent suggestions based on incomplete or out-of-context data”. “At the moment, the verification of the competent institutions is pending. The process of collection, analysis and comparison of the relevant documents and facts has not been completed, therefore final findings and legal conclusions have not been formed”the letter also says. The guide also points out, his “publicly presented information reflects individual aspects of the investigation without covering the overall factual and legal framework of the case”. It also adds that the school “gives full, unconditional and timely assistance to the examining authorities”. “All required documentation, including administrative acts, correspondence, student records and internal records, has been provided to the competent institutions. The school has not and had no intention of obstructing or hindering the inspection in any way”the position reads.
The private school states that the 15-year-old child was enrolled in the school in 2023. In the course of his studies, there were frequent absences, which a parent notified the school in a timely manner, that they were related to sports activities and participation in international events. Written notices and apologetic notes from the parents were submitted, which were administered according to the internal rules and current regulations.
The position also states that on December 15, 2025, the private school received a written request on behalf of the parents stating their desire to withdraw the child from the beginning of the second academic term of the 2025/2026 academic year – January 30, 2026. The withdrawal was administratively filed on February 3, 2026, and the date of technical processing – February 6, 2026. The indicated dates represent administrative actions for registering and reflecting a declaration of intent made by the parents, the school writes.
“We categorically state that the school’s activities are carried out in strict compliance with the applicable legislation, including the Preschool and
school education, as well as by-laws and internal rules of the institution. In our activity, we are guided by the principles of legality, institutional responsibility and protection of the best interest of the child”also indicated by the school.
The school emphasizes that the learning process proceeds normally, with a guaranteed safe and supportive educational environment. The inspections carried out do not hinder the educational activity. The school says it will inform the public when official and final results of the inspection are available.
READ ALL ABOUT THE “PETROHAN” CASE HERE
date:2026-02-12 13:02:00
Keep reading