Every day, nearly 64 thousand students rely on public transport to get to school. We cannot allow children to wait for hours at bus stops, walk for the second lesson or do anything else inappropriate. This is stated by the mayor of Sofia, Vasil Terziev, on his Facebook profile, after earlier today he declared tomorrow, May 14, a non-school day due to the protest of drivers in the capital's ground transport.
I am fully aware that the news about declaring tomorrow a non-school day comes late and for many families this will create inconvenience, the mayor points out. He apologizes for having to announce it at the last minute. But I believe that the most important thing is not to leave children waiting at the stops, not knowing whether and when a vehicle will arrive, emphasizes Terziev.
Although the Sofia Municipality coordinated the actions with the idea of not blocking garages and not interrupting transport services, the public statements of the union representatives clearly indicate that it is planned to prevent vehicles from leaving. This would mean serious disruptions or even stopping public transport tomorrow, the mayor writes. That is why we are declaring the day a non-school day - for the safety of the children, he adds.
Terziev informed that before making the decision, the "Education" Directorate held talks and informed the Regional Education Department - Sofia. The teaching material will not be unlearned, but will be restructured. Kindergartens and nurseries will remain open, Terziev said. He asked parents for understanding and patience, as staff are also expected to have difficulty getting around.