Opening of the 2021/2022 school year in the town of Batak.
FROM THE PAST TO THE PRESENT – the history of “Father Paisii” Primary School – Batak
- Around 1760, a monastic school was established in Batak.
- In 1835, a secular community school named “St. Cyril and Methodius” was established in Batak, with Hadzhi Nayden Yovanovich as the first teacher.
- Early teachers of the people of Batak before the April Uprising: Neicho Paunovich, Dragan Manchov, Petar Goranov, Todor Popneychev.
- In 1850, a girls’ class was established. Alexander Exarch provided significant support for it.
- Alumni of the Batak school from this period include the prominent figures of the Bulgarian National Revival, Georgi Busilin and Dragan Manchov.
- In 1857, Dragan Manchov donated funds for the construction of a new school building, which was burned down during the April Uprising.
- After the Liberation, the school building was restored and regular classes were held.
- Since 1899, Batak already had a middle school. /Administrative act from September 1, 1899/
- Teachers from this period include Neycho Popov, Angel Semerdzhiev, Hristo Manov, and others.
- Since 1912, the middle school has been housed in a former hospital building named after Lady Strangford.
- In 1929, a new school building was constructed, which was used for a junior high school.
- With protocol decision No. 128 from 22.10.1930 by the school board, approved by the District School Inspectorate, the new school was named “Otets Paisiy.”
- Until 1938 and from 1953 to 1973, the junior high school existed independently.
- From 1938 to 1952–1953, it also housed the “St. Cyril and Methodius” school.
- In 1957, for its many years of educational work and excellent teaching and educational activities, “Father Paisiy” middle school was awarded the “Cyril and Methodius” Order, first class.
- In 1963, on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of its founding, it was once again awarded the same order.
- On November 22, 1968, the school building where the children of Batak study today was opened.
- From 1973 to 1975, a process of merging with the primary schools “Petar Goranov” and “Todor Kolarov” began, and the school acquired a new status as “Otec Paisiy” People’s Primary School.
- Since 1988/1989, the school was transformed from an elementary to a unified polytechnic school, and for the first time, students were admitted to the 9th grade.
- Since the 1990/1991 academic year, new curriculum content has been introduced in the first grade, and the school has acquired a new status as a Secondary Comprehensive School “Otets Paisiy”.
- Starting from the 1999/2000 academic year, studying English was introduced for the first time, thereby meeting one of the students’ needs – expanding foreign language education.
- The academic year 2003/2004 – the first computer lab was opened, donated by the Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Gen. Angel Marin.
- Since the 2006/2007 academic year, the school has been classified as a primary school. By Order No. RD-14-44/08.V.2006 of the Ministry of Education and Science, it was converted from a secondary to a primary school due to the absence of an upper grade level.
- Today, at St. Paisius Primary School, 110 students from grades I to VII study in 7 classes.
- The teaching staff comprises 15 professional teachers with extensive experience who love children and are dedicated to their education and upbringing.
- Recent awards: Cup – 2nd place – for participation in the regional competition “Disaster, Fire, and Emergency Protection.”
- Certificate for participation in the Second Children’s Road Safety Olympics “LEARN BY PLAYING – LIVE KNOWING.”
- Certificate for Active Participation with Personal Creative Works – Multimedia Presentations at the Celebrations Dedicated to the 141st Anniversary of Bulgaria’s Liberation from Ottoman Rule.