Bulgaria to reform school funding model to end enrollment-based subsidies

Bulgaria’s Ministry of Education and Science has announced plans to overhaul the national school funding model, moving away from the current system where state subsidies are tied directly to student enrollment numbers.

Minister Georgi Valchev stated that the existing “money follows the student” model creates artificial competition and instability, particularly for teachers in smaller schools. The current system has been criticized for causing wage disparities and incentivizing data manipulation. Valchev noted instances where schools allegedly falsified student records—including failing to report absences or even continuing to record grades for deceased students—to secure higher subsidies.

The proposed reform aims to decouple funding from mere statistical headcounts to ensure greater job security for educators and more equitable resource distribution. By focusing on real educational outcomes rather than enrollment volume, the Ministry intends to create a more stable and transparent financial framework for all educational institutions, regardless of their size.