Rumen Radev: I expect the next parliament and government to pay even more attention to Bulgarian education

President Rumen Radev participated in the opening ceremony of the new school year at the 43rd Hristo Smirnenski Primary School in Sofia. Built in the early 20th century, the school building turns 115 this year.

The President welcomed the students, teachers and parents who attended the festive event in the school yard. Among the guests were representatives of the local administration, educational and cultural institutions, public figures and cultural activists associated with the 43rd "Hristo Smirnenski" School.

"I can assure you that the caretaker government will do everything possible to ensure that schools, kindergartens and hospitals do not close due to lack of heating. But first, happy holiday to all Bulgarian students, teachers and parents! Following an old Bulgarian tradition, the school bell rang today over Bulgaria to remind us that over the centuries Bulgaria has prospered when it had a strong education. When the school taught not only knowledge, but also education in love for the homeland. That is why I expect the next parliament and the regular government to look with even greater attention to Bulgarian education, which should be elevated to a strategic national priority, to improving the teaching and material base, as this school is a good example of, to introducing new forms and methods of education, innovative, which will open us to the world, to raising the prestige and motivation of the Bulgarian teacher, to protect Bulgarian history, language and literature in textbooks, which have been subjected to a number of violations in recent years," President Radev said.

In the central foyer of the school, the Head of State and the principal Snezhina Georgieva unveiled a bas-relief of Hristo Smirnenski. The bust of the school's patron was accidentally found at the beginning of the year, dumped next to garbage bins, but was subsequently restored with funds raised by the school community and with the support of the Hristo Smirnenski House Museum.