site.btaAssociation of Bulgarian Schools Abroad on Suspended State Funding for Two Bulgarian Schools in Chicago

The Governing Board of the Association of Bulgarian Schools Abroad (ABSA) has published on its website its official position on the removal of two schools operating under the Little Bulgarian School in Chicago organization from the List of Bulgarian Sunday Schools Abroad of the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science.

On November 27, the Ministry confirmed to BTA that it has suspended the state subsidy for the Little Bulgarian School in Elk Grove Village and the Little Bulgaria Bulgarian Sunday School in Des Plaines for the 2025/2026 school year at the suggestion of the Consul General of Bulgaria in Chicago. According to the Consul General, the Little Bulgarian School in Chicago organization is effectively obstructing the oversight of the two Bulgarian Sunday schools that the Consulate General exercises under a Bulgarian government decree.

The ABSA's position reads that the Association responsibly monitors all issues related to the activities of Bulgarian educational communities abroad. "In connection with the increased public interest surrounding the case of the Little Bulgarian School in Chicago and the decision to remove it from the list of Bulgarian Sunday schools abroad for the 2025/2026 school year, in accordance with and pursuant to the Decree of the Council of Ministers of May 29, 2018, ABSA states the following: our community exists to support Bulgarian education abroad, and any situation that creates uncertainty or threatens the sustainability of schools requires careful and responsible attention," the ABSA Governing Board writes.

The publication states that ABSA has received numerous questions and alerts expressing concerns that "in the absence of sufficient transparency, predictability, and conditions for subjectivity in the application of Article 16, paragraph 5, other schools will also find themselves in a similar situation in the future." 

"The Association respects the powers of the competent state authorities and the established regulatory procedures arising from the current legislation. We are convinced that any decision related to the status of educational institutions abroad should be justified, transparent, and clearly communicated in order to maintain trust, equality in the educational environment, and respect for Bulgaria's strategic national interests. We believe that constructive dialogue between institutions, school administrators, and parent communities is the surest path to sustainable solutions and a peaceful social atmosphere," the text notes.

The Board of Directors adds that ABSA's role is to maintain an environment of respect, goodwill, and professionalism in which Bulgarian students abroad receive a quality education and the opportunity to develop their cultural identity.

"ABSA will continue to fulfill its mission: to support Bulgarian schools around the world, to work to preserve the Bulgarian language and traditions, and to facilitate dialogue between all participants involved in the educational process abroad. Our position is guided solely by concern for students, teachers, and the stability of Bulgarian education abroad," the team at the Association of Bulgarian Schools Abroad wrote at the end of their statement.

The suspended state funding for the two Bulgarian schools under the Little Bulgarian School in Chicago organization has caused reactions both abroad and in Bulgaria. 

The organization's Executive Director, Georgi Petrov, told BTA that the Little Bulgarian School in Chicago has sent an open letter to the Bulgarian institutions reading that the withdrawn state subsidy will significantly limit the school process and access to quality education in Bulgarian. The organization claims it has the strong support of parents, public organizations and members of the Bulgarian community, with a petition having already garnered 690 signatures.

On December 1, Bulgarian organizations from the Mid-West in the USA issued a position on the matter: "In recent years, we have witnessed public actions and campaigns that have embroiled the Bulgarian community in Chicago in artificially created tensions, including accusations and attacks directed at the Consulate General of Bulgaria in Chicago and its leadership. Such actions deepen the division in our community and undermine trust in Bulgarian institutions."

On December 2, the Association of Bulgarian Folklore Ensembles Abroad expressed support for the Little Bulgarian School in Chicago: "For more than 15 years, the school has been educating children from the community and preserving the Bulgarian language, culture, traditions and values. We call for support for the petition and for transparency and fairness on the part of the Education Ministry. Bulgarian schools abroad are a national asset and must be protected."

On December 3, Education and Science Minister Krasimir Valchev commented: "When we talk about the Little Bulgarian School in Chicago, we are not talking about misuse of funds; it is one of the largest Sunday schools. We are talking about obstruction of control. This is the main reason why the Consul conducted an inspection of the school, more specifically of the Little Children's Academy attached to the school, and found discrepancies. The school has its explanations. After that, the school and certain law firms took action." He added that the school is working very well but the condition for restoring the state subsidy is for the Consul General to be able to exercise control over it. The Minister committed to being a mediator along with several other people so that the case would be solved.