News

9 December 2025

Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva held her first public reception day for citizens in the town of Slivnitsa, with active participation from students at “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” Secondary School. The young people asked questions related to the possibility of completing their secondary education in 11^th grade, as well as the challenges facing their future employment in the absence of professional experience and qualifications.

The Ombudsman encouraged students to initiate an internal school debate through the Student Council in order to establish the real attitudes among their classmates. However, Delcheva urged them to be more active in seeking career guidance while still in school—through internship programmes, participation in career forums, and employer initiatives. She also stressed the importance of skills such as proper expression, CV writing, and cover letter writing, which are key to their successful professional career.

At the end of the meeting, the Ombudsman invited the students to visit the Institution to learn more about the work of the Reception Office and the various departments that protect civil rights.

Earlier in the day, Velislava Delcheva visited the "Nikola Y. Vaptsarov" Secondary School, where, at the invitation of the Student Council, she held an open lesson on civic education dedicated to International Human Rights Day on 10 December. In the conversation, she focused on the fundamental link between the right to education, the right to life, and personal integrity, as well as on the need for students to grow up in a safe and healthy environment.

A number of specific rights of students were also discussed – the right to a second high school graduation exam, their participation in school life, the right to vote on decisions that directly affect them, as well as protection from discrimination and harassment.

The discussion also touched upon rules regarding mobile phones in school, possible restrictions on social media, and ways to respond to cyberbullying or the unlawful dissemination of personal information online.