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In this year's Bulgarian Language and Literature (BEL) final exam, the highest average scores were again in the capital and Smolyan district – the only ones above “Very good 4.50”. The average scores by schools, municipalities and districts are not so indicative, since the exams cannot be compared over the years. However, the threshold of three shows how many students cannot pass the absolute minimum of knowledge and basic literacy. In 2026, it was an average of 11% in the country. The districts with the highest average score – Smolyan and the capital – also have the lowest share of students with “Weak 2” – 5% each. At the other end of this ranking, however, are the worrying results. In four districts, the share of “Weak 2” grades is 19-20% – Shumen, Razgrad, Pazardzhik and Haskovo. This means that every fifth student in these districts has a two in Bulgarian language and literature. These data also show a serious deterioration compared to last year, when so many poor grades were only found in Shumen and Razgrad, with the same average share for the country.

People can leave the municipality, but the municipality doesn't leave the map. Even when its population drops below 1,000 people, the mayor, the municipal council, the administration, the budget, and public procurement remain.

The admission plan for secondary education in 2026/2027. The admission plan for secondary education in 2026/2027 shows that 63% of the places are for vocational education. A key factor in the connection between secondary vocational education and the labor market is the inclusion of training through work – the so-called dual education. In the dual form of education, students in grades 11 and 12 conduct practices in a real work environment in companies with which the school has concluded a contract.

There is already data on the admission plan for secondary education for the next academic year. Admission to vocational education will be carried out according to a new list of professions. It does not change the structure of vocational education in general. The number of places for professions related to the IT sector continues to increase, admission to agricultural and restaurant professions remains inflated, and the most necessary for the economy - those aimed at the processing industry - are again few. The discrepancy is clearly visible in the Index of correspondence between vocational education and the profile of the economy developed by IME (the 2026 edition is also coming soon).

Trust in institutions in Bulgaria remains low, especially in the central government. Eurobarometer data shows that trust in the government is around 27%, and in the parliament – ​​around 21%. At the same time, local government enjoys higher support – around 35–36% trust.

Varna is developing steadily economically, with income and economic activity remaining above the national average, and poverty is relatively low. The district stands out with the highest employment rate in the country, a high level of investment and well-developed infrastructure, as well as stable financial independence. In addition, Varna maintains a relatively favorable demographic picture and strong positions in education, with good student performance and a large number of students. Among the weaker sides of the district, the lower share of health insurance, the slow administration of justice and the more mixed results in the cultural sphere stand out. Tourism remains among the most highly developed sectors.

Today, all major taxes go to the state budget. The tax on the income that everyone earns makes its way to the capital, where the money is left to the will and discretion of politicians in the government, according to their priorities or party needs. It depends on the will of the prime minister and the finance minister how much of these funds go back to the street, the water supply, the kindergarten or the park of the city, in which the taxpayer creates value through labor and entrepreneurship, lives and raises his children.