Foreign subjects are allowed to open schools in Bulgaria only for children of foreign residents, provided they notify the Ministry of Public Instruction through the departmental educational inspectorate. They must supply full information about the organization of their school, including its curriculum, teachers, and facilities.
The official Bulgarian curriculum is not mandatory for foreign schools, except when they choose to admit Bulgarian children. In that case, they must follow the official curriculum and use Bulgarian as the teaching language (Article 216). Foreigners may also establish schools for languages, vocational training, or fine arts, even when the students are Bulgarians (Article 217).
This regulation allows foreign communities to maintain their own educational traditions while ensuring that Bulgarian children receive instruction consistent with national laws.
Infant Schools in 1903-1904
During the school year 1903-1904, there were 40 infant schools in the Principality, attended by 2,707 children: 1,289 boys and 1,418 girls. These schools were managed by 46 schoolmistresses and 2 schoolmasters, not counting the staff of the Jewish infant school in Schoumen Customized Tours Istanbul.
The schools were distributed according to nationality as follows:
Nationality Number of Schools Schoolmasters Schoolmistresses Boys Girls Total
Bulgarian 25 0 25 689 645 1,334
Greek 5 0 12 362 604 966
Jewish 5 2 4 159 200 359
French 2 0 2 12 16 28
German 1 0 2 20 13 33
American 3 0 4 47 40 87
Total 40 2 46 1,289 1,418 2,707
The average age of the children attending these infant schools ranged from four to six years, in accordance with Article 15 of the Law on Public Instruction.
Curriculum and Activities
The main goal of infant schools was to prepare children for primary education. Pupils were engaged in play, singing, drawing, embroidery, manual work, and simple arithmetic. These activities aimed to develop physical, intellectual, and moral skills, ensuring a smooth transition to formal schooling.
Infant schools were a vital part of the Bulgarian education system, promoting early learning and supporting families in raising well-educated and socially responsible children.