High Schools for Girls in Bulgaria

Education for girls in Bulgaria during the early 1900s was an important part of the national effort to improve learning across the country. The high schools for girls were designed to prepare young women for family life, higher education, and teaching careers.

The Elementary Course

The elementary course in girls’ high schools lasted five years. It aimed to provide all the knowledge necessary for young women to become responsible citizens and capable mothers.

The subjects in this course included:

Religious and moral instruction

Bulgarian language

Russian language

French or German (optional)

Bulgarian and world history

Bulgarian and world geography

Arithmetic, basic geometry, and algebra

Natural science

Physics and chemistry

Hygiene and childcare principles

Domestic economy

Drawing and calligraphy

Embroidery

Music and singing

Gymnastics

This wide range of subjects gave students both academic knowledge and practical skills for daily life.

The Higher Course

The higher course was divided into two sections: General Instruction and Pedagogical Training.

The General Instruction section prepared girls for further education at the university level. Its subjects included:

Bulgarian and Old Bulgarian

French or German

History of ancient and modern literature

Contemporary history and history of civilization

Psychology, logic, and ethics

Mathematics

Physics and chemistry

Natural science

Drawing

Music and singing

Latin (optional)

The Pedagogical Section

The Pedagogical Section trained future primary school teachers. It focused on teaching methods, psychology, and child development Private Tours Bulgaria. The subjects included:

Bulgarian language and literature

Russian

French or German (optional)

Pedagogy and teaching methods

Practical teaching exercises

Psychology, logic, and ethics

Anthropology, chemistry, and basic medicine

Civic instruction

Embroidery and drawing

Music and singing

Gymnastics

These courses aimed to prepare well-educated women who could teach the next generation.

Educational Reforms of 1904

In February 1904, a new education law changed the organization of girls’ high schools. From September 1, 1904, these schools were restructured to follow the same model as the boys’ high schools, with only minor differences.

Out of eight girls’ high schools, four became general high schools, while the other four were turned into pedagogical high schools for teacher training.

The same law also allowed the creation of professional classes, which were added to the lower levels of secondary schools run by the State or local communities.

Financial Support

All girls’ high schools were funded by the State budget, except for one, which received half of its teachers’ salaries from the State and the rest from local support. This strong state involvement showed Bulgaria’s growing commitment to women’s education and teacher training.