News

18 May 2025

The Ombudsman Institution wrote letters to the leaderships of the two trade unions – the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) and the Podkrepa Confederation of Labor and to the Mayor of the City of Sofia Vasil Terziev and to the Minister of Education Krasimir Valchev in which it appeals with concern to take urgent action and to show empathy for the thousands of school-leavers for the normal course of the matriculation exams during the strike of the public transport workers in Sofia. The recommendations will be sent on the first working day of the coming week.

The reason is the reports from parents, teachers and students due to the non-operation of ground transport in the capital city. People are worried that 21 May and 23 May 2025 are the dates for the National Matriculation Examinations for the 12^th grade, however, because of the strike the students and the superintending teachers will find it difficult to move to the schools selected to be venues of the matriculation exams.

“Citizens tell that the venues were a random selection and that students will have to go to schools that are away from their residential area. Parents express their concern that their children will not be able to move around the city and point out that many families find it impossible to arrange and afford transportation while their children have to cover a distance and move via several districts to be at the designated school early in the morning,” the Secretary General of the Ombudsman Dr. Aysun Avdjiev writes.

He emphasizes that people are concerned as the matriculation exams determine young people’s future. In addition to the graduation from secondary school, these exams are needed for university entrance exams.

“Citizens request that in the event the industrial action of the public transport workers continues on the said dates as appointed for the National Matriculation Examinations, the authorities should ensure the operation of ground transport, in addition to the metro, at least in the morning so that school-leavers in the 12^th grade are not hindered and their future is not threatened. Citizens emphasize that the restricted use of public transport in the capital city places their children at a disadvantage compared to children who do not reside in Sofia and subjects them to additional stress and tension,” Dr. Avdjiev writes further.

“As an independent human rights institution, the institution of the National Ombudsman in its activities over the years, has insisted before the relevant competent authorities to respect the rights and interests of citizens in various spheres of life, some of which are related to decent remuneration for the work of all working people, as well as guaranteeing the providing safe and unhazardous working conditions. At the same time, the right of students to equal access to education and the importance of the National Matriculation Exams for the future career and personal development of high school graduates,” the recommendation reads.

“I also appeal to you with a request for cooperation and assistance, to the extent possible, in arranging alternative transportation for students, so that they can manage to arrive on time for the exams in the schools assigned for them,” the Secretary General writes to the Mayor of Sofia and to the Minister of Education.