Students say “YES” to education through the campaign “First a diploma in hand, then love”
The campaign “First a diploma in hand, then love”, dedicated to February 14, united schools from different settlements in the country around the important topic of the role of education and the right to informed personal choice. The initiative drew attention to the need for young people to be supported in their quest to first complete their education and build a solid foundation for their future.
Within the framework of the campaign, various activities were implemented – information initiatives, discussions, trainings and meetings with students and parents. Through them, the participants created a space for open conversation about love, responsibility and the right time to start a family. Below we present the schools that actively participated in the campaign, as well as some of the initiatives they organized.
The students from the “St. Paisii Hilendarski” Secondary School in Varbitsa from the “Leaders in Action” interest group created a thematic board as part of the “First a diploma in hand, then love” campaign. Through their creativity, they sent a message to their classmates that knowledge and a diploma are the key to a better future and conscious personal choices.
See their message:
The students of the Vocational High School of Chemical and Food Technologies Pazardzhik, through the Student Council, conducted a training on the topic “Marriage can wait, education – NO!” within the framework of the campaign “First a diploma in hand, then love”. The meeting was attended by students from different classes, who actively discussed the importance of education as a path to independence, personal development and the realization of their dreams. They discussed the right of every young girl to have time to study, dream and choose her future, as well as how early life decisions can affect development opportunities. During the meeting, an atmosphere of open conversation and reflection was created, in which students had the opportunity to share personal stories, ask questions and exchange opinions. Emphasis was placed on the importance of support from family and school as a key factor for a successful life path. Through the discussions, the participants emphasized that education gives confidence, independence and opportunities and that true love supports dreams and respects personal choices.
Students from the Vocational High School of Light Industry, Ecology and Chemical Technologies – Yambol discussed the topic “First a diploma in hand, then love” with particular interest, sharing different points of view and actively participating in the discussion. Videos and interactive games helped the participants to express their belief that education is the most important perspective for young people. During the meeting, the students were motivated by a personal example of success and educational achievements. On the day of love, friendship and support, the participants expressed their feelings through small gestures, kind words and smiling moments.
The students from the Hristo Botev Primary School – Ekzarh Antimovo village held an open and emotional discussion dedicated to the topic of early marriages and the role of parents in creating a new family. During the meeting, they discussed the importance of education as a priority, personal responsibility in making life decisions and the way in which family support should be directed towards the development and realization of young people. The presented presentation provoked reflection and active conversation, and the specially prepared board complemented the message of the campaign – that every child has the right to education, dreams and a future.
The students from the Secondary School “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, the town of Smyadovo, participated in a discussion on the topic of the campaign “First a diploma in hand, then love”, within which they argued their positions and worked with a prepared brochure and worksheet dedicated to the importance of education and conscious personal choice. The meeting showed that young people think responsibly, set clear goals and realize that a stable future begins with education.
The students from the Primary School “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” in the village of Kamen, Sliven Municipality, with mediator Rusanka Stoyanova, actively participated in the campaign “First a diploma in hand, then love”. They expressed their position through video messages and drawings dedicated to the topic of education and responsible choice. As part of the initiative, a discussion with parents was also organized, during which topics related to early marriages and the importance of education for the future of young people were discussed.
Vocational High School of Agriculture “Geo Milev” in Maglizh joined the campaign “First a diploma in hand, then love”, and within the framework of the initiative, an interactive game was held with the students, which encouraged reflection on the topic of the importance of education and responsible personal choice. The students also created a thematic board, through which they visually presented the message of the campaign and kept the focus on the importance of the diploma as the first step towards a successful future.
Students from the Cyril and Methodius Primary School in Svoboda village joined the campaign “First a diploma in hand, then love”, emphasizing the importance of education as a foundation for stability, confidence and free choice. They recalled that the strongest and most enduring love is that for knowledge and one’s own future, and emphasized that true care is manifested through responsible actions. As part of the initiative, students shared messages about the support that every young person deserves to complete their education and build their dreams, demonstrating that holidays and special moments have true meaning when combined with knowledge, responsibility and heart.
All schools that participated in the campaign showed that young people can think clearly, discuss important life topics and express their opinions with creativity and courage. Through discussions, games, videos and creative initiatives, they demonstrated that knowledge and education are the basis for free choice and a stable future. These efforts leave a message that first a diploma in hand, then love, is not just a slogan, but an opportunity for every young person to build their life with responsibility, dreams and confidence.
The campaign is being implemented with the support of the project “Marriage can wait, education cannot”, which is implemented within the framework of the INSPIRE initiative: Improving national support for prevention, intervention, and response to violence against children, and empowering victims” and is co-financed by the European Union and the Foundation “Workshop for Civic Initiatives” (WFCI).
