Delchevo suspends four branch schools due to demographic decline

The Delchevo Municipality Council has decided to temporarily suspend operations at four branch primary schools in the villages of Gabrovo, Zvegor, Stamer, and Virche. The decision follows an optimization plan aimed at addressing a drastic decline in student numbers and high maintenance costs.

Annual costs for salaries, electricity, water, and heating for these four locations total approximately 10 million denars. Demographic trends in the eastern region show a significant natural population decrease, with more deaths than births recorded in 2024. In Zvegor, for instance, three out of four students are already transferring to the central school.

Students will continue their education at the central schools ‘Vancho Prke’ and ‘St. Kliment Ohridski’. The municipality emphasized that these closures are temporary and schools may be reactivated if student numbers increase in the future. Teachers with indefinite contracts will be retained, while fixed-term contracts will not be extended if they are no longer required.