"I can assure you that not a single school in Bulgaria, not just in Silistra region, will close because it lacks money for heating," education and science minister Prof Georgi Valchev said.

He was replying to a question in parliament from MP Dimitar Todorov of Progressive Bulgaria. Todorov asked whether schools and kindergartens in Silistra region are ready for the heating season and what fuels they use.

The region has 41 schools, 22 kindergartens and one centre for special educational support in the 2026/2027 school year. The MP said 64 institutions in all heat their buildings in different ways and with different fuels.

Valchev said heating costs depend on the type of fuel, the size and condition of the buildings, the climate and the length of the heating season. Schools and kindergartens also differ in the number of children and pupils, the number of classes and how they are heated.

The education ministry directly manages the budget of some education institutions in Bulgaria. In the 2026 budget formulas, it included an extra sum for institutions whose heating systems run on liquid fuel.

No shortage of heating money has been found so far, including in Silistra region, the minister said.

If fuel prices rise further in winter and institutions cannot pay for heating, the ministry will provide extra money, he said.