The Bulgarian government has ordered the withdrawal of unspent funds from the accounts of around 300 public schools as of June 3, a move that has triggered strong reactions from school principals and education organizations, many of whom say they were left without access to operating money overnight.
According to the Ministry of Education, the decision was taken jointly by the education and finance ministers and is linked to the interim financial framework ahead of the adoption of the 2026 state budget. The measure involves collecting unused payment limits from school accounts and applying it across state educational institutions nationwide.
The ministry described the step as temporary and said it was intended to improve budget management during the transitional period. In an official explanation, authorities stated that monthly allocations to schools will continue, ensuring that institutions receive regular funding despite the withdrawal of accumulated balances.
“In order to more effectively manage public spending until the adoption of the law on the state budget for 2026, the unspent payment limit as of June 3 is being withdrawn ex officio,” the official communication to school administrations stated.
