More than 18 per cent of the Roma are illiterate and if the current trend continues half of the Roma will not be able to read or write in 15 years, experts claim. (continue)

Some 2.9 per cent or 20,800 students have dropped out of general educational schools for various reasons in the 2004-2005 school year, including 17,100 out of primary education. This is indicated by data from a survey conducted by Vitosha Research within the framework of an Education Ministry-UNICEF project for the reasons of students dropping out of school. (continue)

A survey conducted by the MBMD polling agency shows that 32 per cent of school dropouts in Bulgaria quit school before 4th grade, and 49 per cent do so before 8th grade. (continue)

Good education is the third most important value for schoolchidlren, after family and friendship, the MBMD Institute for Marketing and Social Surveys found in a nationally representative survey commissioned by the Ministry of Education and Science. The results of the survey were presented Monday to journalists and the Ministry’s social partners. (continue)