The issue with the Small Bulgarian School in Chicago became part of the agenda of the relevant committee in parliament. Minister of Education and Science Krasimir Valchev commented on the topic after receiving a question from Yordanka Fandakova in the Committee on Education and Science in the National Assembly. The minister explained that Zhivka Bubalova-Petrova's schools were deregistered and the subsidy suspended after obstructing control, bgvoice.com reports.
Minister Valchev explained to the deputies how the director of the schools Zhivka Petrova tried to obstruct control after an inspection of her children's academy "Winnie the Pooh", which found violations. This is about an established smaller number of children - 9, out of the 21 registered with the Ministry of Education and Science, and about a violation of local regulations that allow up to 12 children to be educated in this type of kindergarten.
The minister said that after the inspection, Petrova began her campaign to obstruct the inspection. This was done through a threatening letter from lawyers demanding written permission for an inspection within 14 days; a report to the police that the inspection by the Consulate General constituted illegal entry into private property; a similar report to the State Department, who visited the Consulate General.
In an interview for the website flagman.bg, Georgi Petrov -until recently president of the board of the MBU- stated that his mother Zhivka Petrova had obtained a restraining order against Consul General Svetoslav Stankov. This has made it impossible to fulfill his legal obligations to control the subsidy and the educational process.
Minister Valchev categorically rejected the accusations against the Consul General in Chicago Svetoslav Stankov for a personal attitude towards the school. "I have no impression that the Consul General is abusing his powers", he said. Minister Valchev recalled that a school in Bulgaria - state or municipal - is controlled by 37 institutions. Abroad, the Ministry of Education relies on the diplomatic representations of the state.
Minister Valchev said that with several more people they will seek a solution to the case in Chicago and the revoked registration. "We want to return the school to funding, but there is one mandatory condition - that financial control can be ensured. I do not have the impression that the Consul General is enslaved by emotions. For us in the Ministry, the issue is a matter of principle - when they ask for funding, they must ensure control. If I file a complaint against an auditor, the prosecutor's office will probably chase me - if I obstruct control, I do not provide an opportunity for control", explained Minister Valchev.
According to him, for this to happen, Petrova must withdraw all her complaints. The Bulgarian community, on the other hand, insists on "unity, respect and dialogue based on facts, documents and established procedures - without slander, without personal attacks and without pressure through public hysteria." In a letter signed by the directors of more than 25 Bulgarian organizations, including all other schools in Chicago, organizations that receive funds from the state are obliged to comply with the established rules for transparency, accountability and control: “This is a standard everywhere in the world, which guarantees trust and equality and cannot be an exception“.
Minister Valchev also sharply criticized the behavior of Petrova and her entourage. "This attitude is not a normal attitude towards the institution, on the other hand, the Consulate General should not abuse its powers. I personally have no such observations", said Minister Valchev.