Bulgaria debates 2026-2027 school year start date and vacation schedule

The Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science is finalizing the academic calendar for the 2026-2027 school year, amid conflicting proposals regarding the start date and spring break schedule.

The Ministry’s current draft proposes that the new school year begin on September 15. However, the Union of School Leaders has suggested an earlier start on Monday, September 14, arguing that an extra day would allow for more flexible scheduling of holidays and ensure the required number of school days without extending the summer break. The Education Union has expressed opposition to the September 14 proposal.

Additionally, a debate is underway regarding the spring vacation. Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva has advocated for the break to take place from April 3 to April 11, 2027. She warned against an alternative proposal to move the break to late April and early May, noting that such a change could lead to an intense four-month period of continuous instruction from January to April. Delcheva argued that a later break could negatively impact students' physical and mental health due to accumulated fatigue.