Two Kindergartens Against the Need for Dozens: Sofia's Budget Deficit in Education

The Sofia Municipality is in a sharp conflict with state institutions regarding the distribution of funds for education. While Sofia is the city with the highest number of children and the sharpest shortage of places, the state is approving funding for only two new kindergartens – a number equal to that in Blagoevgrad.

Deputy Mayor for Education Desislava Zhelyazkova emphasized the discrepancy between the capital's needs and the allocated budgets. According to her, while seven kindergartens are planned for Plovdiv and five for Pazardzhik, Sofia remains with minimal support. The situation is also critical for schools, where 45 municipal facilities still operate in two shifts, but funds for expanding the base are provided for only one of them.

"Investments must follow the need," Zhelyazkova stated, adding that the rejection of the 570 million euro investment program will have real consequences for thousands of families. She expressed concern that instead of solutions, comments are being heard in Parliament that attempt to turn a social problem into a political tool.

On the other hand, Finance Minister Galab Donev pointed to a different perspective. According to him, 13 million euros were voted for kindergartens in Sofia, but the Sofia Municipality has not demonstrated project readiness and has not requested funds for these activities.

Currently, the municipality is working on 23 projects for the construction and expansion of nurseries and kindergartens, after more than 2,400 new places were created over the last two years. However, the question remains: how will the decade-long deficit be overcome without a stable state policy?