FINANCING OF SECONDARY EDUCATION IN THE NETHERLANDS AND BULGARIA - COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

The article aims to present the educational systems of the Netherlands and Bulgaria and a comparative analysis between the two countries. Main points are: Establishment of both systems; Policies implemented in secondary education; Ways of financing. In both countries, education is managed and funded by the Ministry of Education. It determines the main subjects in school curricula, sets quality standards and the main objectives of educational policy. The Ministry is also responsible for the administration of the education system according to the funding constitutional regulations. The main source of financing for education systems is the state budget. However while in the Netherlands around 5% of the gross national product accounts for education, in Bulgaria the percentage is only 3.4 %. Municipalities receive funds for schools from the state budget, depending on their population and socio-demographic structure. The two countries apply a system of delegated budgets in funding education, which is a priority area for both of them. Trends in Bulgarian and Dutch educational systems are aimed at ensuring equal opportunities for education for all and increasing the quality of education. In the Netherlands Ministry of Education funds state and private educational institutions. Moreover private education has priority and the majority of students attend private schools, unlike the situation in Bulgaria, where the budget for private schools is formed mainly by fees paid by students.