Suggestopedia is a Bulgarian method of teaching that combines pedagogy, psychology and artistic approaches. The first Suggestopedia centre for children from 7 – 14 years old opened its doors in Pleven in 2019, fully equipped and furnished with support from the European Social Fund.

The Centre includes five classrooms.  Each classroom has its own interactive whiteboards, microscopes, games for children, sound equipment and a camera. An additional ‘culinary room’ provides a space for teaching children to cook, and the robotics laboratory has proven to be the most popular place to learn.

As well as contributing to young children’s education, the Centre’s staff comprises unemployed people up to 29-years-old. They are mentored by experienced teachers before beginning their work with the children.

Accommodating up to 30 children per shift, the Centre has been a huge success. It offers extracurricular English, courses in Bulgarian language, literature, and maths, and various creative and sports activities.

‘It's very difficult to cope and almost impossible without someone giving you professional and psychological support,’ says Kristina Manjukova, a teacher working at the Centre. ‘In the Suggestopedia Center in Pleven I was able to believe in my strength and meet challenges of all kinds, thanks to the support of the team and the high-tech atmosphere.’