This paper is an attempt to analyse, diagnose and
provide general recommendations concerning the Roma-related problems in the educational
system of the Republic of Bulgaria from the standpoint of an external to the country
analyst. Besides purely educational and ethnic issues, particular factors that create the
context in which function and develop the educational system and interethnic relations
after the 1989 changes are presented. Major challenges facing the education system and
the associated with the Roma community issues (for example, reducing the share of Roma
in the higher classes of secondary school), the necessary/pending reforms and current
policies are discussed. A review of what has happened so far is also made.