Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Labour, Ambassadors and Representatives of Institutions and Diplomatic Missions to Attend the Opening of the School Year at Schools from Amalipe Center’s Network

On 15 September, schools from the “Mission Achiever: Inspired to Succeed” School Network of the Amalipe Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance will welcome their students for the start of the new school year. As is tradition, a number of the school opening ceremonies will be attended by representatives of state institutions, diplomatic missions and organisations, who will join the school communities on this special day.

The invitation extended by Amalipe has been accepted by Deputy Prime Minister Ivo Hristov, Minister of Labour and Social Policy Nataliya Efremova, Deputy Minister Nadya Klisurska, H.E. Pierre Hagmann, Ambassador of Switzerland to Bulgaria, Ms Antonia Bierbaumer, Deputy Head of Mission and Director of the Austrian Cultural Forum Sofia at the Embassy of Austria in Bulgaria, H.E. Arthur den Hartog, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bulgaria, H.E. Flemming Stender, Ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria, Ms Valerie Tucker, Diplomat in the Political Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria, Ms Sophie Brown from the British Embassy in Bulgaria, Ivan Popov, Executive Director of Programme “Education”, Member of Parliament Dr Nihal Yozergan from Progressive Bulgaria, Sarah Perrine, Chief Executive Officer of the Trust for Social Achievement, Ognyan Isaev, Director of the Educational Opportunities and Achievements Programme at the Trust for Social Achievement, Aylin Dzhafer, Head of Gifts and Partnerships, and Petya Gulamali, Director of the Employment and Entrepreneurship Programme at the Trust for Social Achievement. Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Minister of Education and Science Prof. Dr Georgi Valchev will also visit a school from the Network.

The presence of official guests at schools from the Network is an important sign of support for the efforts of teachers, school leaders, parents and students to build an inclusive and supportive educational environment. It is also an opportunity for institutions and diplomatic missions to meet school communities directly and see first-hand the good practices developed by schools working to ensure equal access to quality education and the successful participation of every child in school life.

Representatives of the Amalipe Center will also take part in the events and present the organisation’s and schools’ key demands to national institutions, including what needs to be done to support educational integration, prevent school dropout, ensure quality education, strengthen intercultural education and support civil society.

At St. St. Cyril and Methodius Primary School in Vetren, the school opening ceremony will begin at 10:00. Official guests will include Ivo Hristov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria; H.E. Pierre Hagmann, Ambassador of Switzerland to Bulgaria; Sarah Perrine, Chief Executive Officer of the Trust for Social Achievement; and Ognyan Isaev, Director of the Educational Opportunities and Achievements Programme at the Trust for Social Achievement.

With its 180-year history, the school is one of the oldest and most established educational institutions in southern Bulgaria. It provides primary education for students from Grades 1 to 7, as well as compulsory pre-school education for children in the preparatory group, with a strong focus on the individual needs, abilities and interests of every child.

Over the past three years, the school has recorded sustained improvement in its results in the national external assessment, expanded opportunities for extracurricular activities and modernised its facilities with the support of Septemvri Municipality and through various projects. Equally importantly, the school has had no students dropping out for years and has successfully introduced intercultural education as part of its educational programme implemented jointly with the Amalipe Center. The development of the school community also relies on active partnerships with parents, students, local authorities and non-governmental organisations.

At 59th Vasil Levski Secondary School in Sofia, the school opening ceremony will begin at 10:00. Official guests will include Nataliya Efremova, Minister of Labour and Social Policy; Ms Valerie Tucker, Diplomat in the Political Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria; Ms Antonia Bierbaumer, Deputy Head of Mission and Director of the Austrian Cultural Forum Sofia; Aylin Dzhafer, Head of Gifts and Partnerships; and Petya Gulamali, Director of the Employment and Entrepreneurship Programme at the Trust for Social Achievement.

The school has modern and well-equipped facilities, including spacious and functional classrooms, computer rooms, a library and a modern sports hall. Its highly qualified and committed teaching team provides quality education and support for every child’s personal development. Alongside their regular studies, students can take part in a wide range of extracurricular activities in science, the arts, sport and creative pursuits.

59th Vasil Levski Secondary School places a strong emphasis on creating a positive and supportive school environment and on active partnerships with parents, combining established traditions with contemporary approaches to education.

At Vladimir Dimitrov – The Master Vocational High School in Sofia, the school opening ceremony will begin at 10:00. Among the official guests will be H.E. Arthur den Hartog, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bulgaria; Nurselin Kazak, Chief Expert in the Inclusive Education Directorate at the Ministry of Education and Science; and Dr Eva Zhecheva, Director of the Child Rights Directorate at the Ombudsman Institution of the Republic of Bulgaria.

The school primarily serves students from Fakulteta, and in recent years has seen remarkable progress in both the number of students sitting the state matriculation examinations and the number successfully passing them. For more than 50 years, the school has contributed to the development of vocational education by providing students with practical knowledge and professional skills aligned with the needs of the modern labour market.

The school offers a unique model of education in Bulgaria in which the specialisations cover the entire process – from design to the production of garments, footwear, bags and accessories. Students therefore acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical skills applicable in a real professional environment. Their education provides broad opportunities for successful careers in businesses within the sector, as well as for developing their own businesses and entrepreneurial initiatives.

At St. St. Cyril and Methodius Primary School in Malo Konare, the ceremony will begin at 10:00, with Ms Nadya Klisurska, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy, attending as an official guest.

The school creates conditions for quality and modern education by combining traditional and innovative teaching methods, contemporary technologies and an individual approach to every child. St. St. Cyril and Methodius Primary School is a long-standing partner of the Amalipe Center and actively participates in initiatives aimed at educational inclusion, student participation and creating equal opportunities for all students.

At Nikola Yonkov Vaptsarov Technical Vocational High School in Radomir, the official guest will be Ms Sophie Brown from the British Embassy in Bulgaria. The ceremony will begin at 10:00.

The school is the oldest electrical engineering school in Bulgaria, with a history spanning more than 90 years and well-established traditions in providing quality technical education. It is an active member of the “Mission Achiever: Inspired to Succeed” School Network.

Today, the school combines tradition with modern approaches to education and offers general and vocational training in electronics, automation, communications and computer technologies, as well as applied informatics.

Particular emphasis is placed on practical training and partnerships with businesses. Since the 2017/2018 school year, the school has implemented a dual education system in specialisations related to industrial electrical installations, automation and industrial electronics. Through its partnership with AK Electric AD, students gain practical experience in a real working environment and develop skills for working with modern equipment, supporting a smooth transition from education to the labour market.

The school also encourages students to take an active part in extracurricular activities and national and international educational initiatives and projects aimed at developing their knowledge, skills and personal competences.

At the Vocational High School of Transport and Mechanical Engineering in Gradnitsa, the ceremony will begin at 10:00, with Ivan Popov, Executive Director of Programme “Education”, attending as an official guest.

The school offers training in a range of vocational fields, combining theoretical knowledge and practical skills and preparing students for successful careers in the labour market. The school works in partnership with the Amalipe Center, contributing to positive changes in the learning environment and increased student motivation.

In just two years, with the active support of the organisation and the Regional Department of Education – Gabrovo, the school has succeeded in engaging its students more actively, reducing dropout rates and establishing a genuine and quality learning process.

With a leadership team focused on development and renewal, the school is working to modernise its facilities and expand opportunities for vocational placements and partnerships with local businesses. At the same time, it offers a variety of extracurricular activities that support young people’s personal development and social engagement, while the school team actively encourages and motivates students to achieve good results.

At Evredika Vocational High School of Design and Clothing in Kardzhali, the official guest at the opening of the school year will be Member of Parliament Dr Nihal Yozergan from Progressive Bulgaria.

For years, the school has been part of the Amalipe Center’s “Mission Achiever: Inspired to Succeed” School Network. Through its innovative approach and active involvement in initiatives aimed at increasing student participation, it has succeeded in building a community in which students learn to believe in themselves and in their own abilities.

At Ivan Vazov Primary School in Izvor, the ceremony will begin at 10:30, with H.E. Flemming Stender, Ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria, attending as an official guest.

The school combines tradition with a contemporary learning environment, creating a calm and supportive atmosphere for the development of its students. Ivan Vazov Primary School works in partnership with the Amalipe Center and actively participates in initiatives and activities aimed at educational inclusion, student participation and creating better opportunities for children’s development.

At Hristo Botev Primary School in Rakovitsa, Vidin Region, the ceremony will begin at 11:30, with Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Minister of Education and Science Prof. Dr Georgi Valchev attending as official guests.

Hristo Botev Primary School in Rakovitsa is a small school with many years of experience in ensuring access to education and providing support to children from the local community. The school has a long-standing partnership with the Amalipe Center and actively participates in initiatives and projects focused on educational inclusion, active student participation and students’ development.

Once again this year, the start of the school year will provide an opportunity for representatives of institutions and diplomatic missions to stand alongside the students, teachers and parents of schools in the “Mission Achiever: Inspired to Succeed” School Network. For the Amalipe Center, their presence is an expression of commitment and support for schools that work every day to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn, develop their abilities and succeed.

On 15 September, schoolyards across the country will once again fill with smiles, excitement and anticipation for a new beginning. And alongside the students and teachers on this important day will be their guests – representatives of institutions and diplomatic missions who will share with them the first moments of the new school year.

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The “Mission Achiever: Inspired to Succeed” School Network brings together 259 schools from across Bulgaria. It is coordinated by the Amalipe Center with the support of the Trust for Social Achievement. The Network includes primary, lower-secondary, combined and secondary schools, as well as vocational high schools. Find out more about the Network [HERE].

The programme is funded by the Trust for Social Achievement.