The Minister of Education and Science in resignation, Krassimir Valchev, announced what was found during the inspection conducted by the Ministry of Education and Science of the school “Kosmos”, in which the 15-year-old child - one of the victims near Okolchitsa - was enrolled.
"The principle of compulsory education is guaranteed by writing absences and observing regular attendance. In practice, the school has become an accomplice in not exercising the child's right to education. And it is guaranteed through the obligation of the parents, the state and the schools. In the past 2024/2025 school year, the child did not attend school 114 out of nearly 170 school days - nearly 2/3. The absences were not recorded. This school year, almost all of September and December, half of October and November, and all of January, the child did not attend school, "said Valchev.
In general, it was found that the school did not record the absences, which is a violation of the children's right to education, the resigned minister said. He added that in his opinion, the educational institution should be sanctioned. Valchev also explained that the Ministry of Education and Science does not have the powers that it has over state and municipal schools, so the sanction could be deregistration.
Valchev also said that in order to be registered as a private school in the register, it showed the necessary teaching staff, but then it was replaced - only 6 from the original list remain. 50% of those holding the position of teacher are not teachers – they do not have a teaching qualification, the resigned minister added. He specified that this is not illegal, but in state and municipal schools they are obliged, if there is a person with a pedagogical qualification, to take him before anyone else.
Vulchev pointed out that he could not say whether there were other students who were involved in Ivaylo Kalushev's group. The reason - MES cannot control extracurricular activities, camps and schools, but only private schools and kindergartens.
The resigned minister was categorical that no control was carried out by the RDO - Sofia region. And he added that the reason was probably that the school was not classified as more risky. An inspection was planned for this school year, Valchev also said, quoted by Nova TV.