Science
Bulgaria spends 4.2 per cent of its GDP on the education sector.
Schooling is compulsory for children aged between 7 and 6. There is pre-school education, primary, secondary, and higher education in Bulgaria. School instruction is supported by the Ministry of Education and Science. One hundred per cent of Bulgarian schools have computer rooms.
The educational system is being modernized with the help of various European programmes and Structural Funds related to the development of education. National programmes for mainstreaming of children belonging to the minority groups in the country, as well as of children with disabilities, are elaborated.
In recent years, young Bulgarian mathematicians have been placed among the best in International Mathematics and Informatics Olympiads. Bulgarian mathematicians have won 221 medals at international Olympiads: 48 gold, 88 silver, and 85 bronze. Bulgarians have also brought home 63 medals from International Olympiads in Informatics: 14 gold, 26 silver, and 23 bronze. Bulgaria will host the International Olympiad in Informatics in 2009.
There are 51 accredited universities in the country, specializing in various fields and recognized abroad.
The St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, the University of National and World Economy, the American University in Bulgaria, the Institute for Foreign Students and a number of other higher schools tutor young Bulgarians for a fine career.
Fifteen per cent of citizens in Bulgaria have higher education.
Under the Higher Education Act, university education is provided at three levels of tuition, leading to a bachelor's, master's, and doctor's degree.