The new school year in Bulgaria has started amid a growing shortage of teachers.

On the first day of school, more than 400 positions remain unfilled across the country.

The average age of a school teacher in Bulgaria is 50 and the teachers' syndicate is predicting a shortage of almost 40,000 teachers by 2026.

On Monday morning, the Vassil Levski Primary school in Kremikovtsi, a north eastern suburb of the capital Sofia, welcomed its 170 students and 20 teachers.

This summer the principal Valentina Kurinova has had to fill three openings and is proud of having a much younger group of teachers than the national average.

She says attracting young people to the profession is difficult on the one hand because of the low wages - currently a teacher in Bulgaria is paid 380 euros (444 US dollars) a month.

Kurinova says the society sees teachers "as enemies" and that "it will be too late when we realise there is no one left to teach our children."

While more than 4,000 teachers retire every year, less than a thousand university graduates chose a career in education.

Only 8 percent of all teachers in Bulgaria are under the age of 35.

An aging demographic also means that 900 schools in less populated areas have had to be closed over the last 15 years.

Mariya Aleksieva was a student in the Kremikovtsi Primary School herself and returned to teach here 3 years ago.

She says young teachers are very important to any modern school as they bring in new methods and technology. Aleksieva uses electronic school books and diaries as well as interactive programmes in her lessons.

According to Ekaterina Yoncheva - another teacher here - the profession is very challenging and this isn't understood within the Bulgarian society.

Every year schools struggle to fill their classrooms. This often happens by having primary teachers take on extra classes with the older kids and by keeping people on who are already in retirement age.

Despite the difficulties Yoncheva says teaching "really is a calling".

"Once you see the happiness in the eyes of a child whom you have helped become a better person, nothing can turn you away from this profession anymore."

The Ministry of Education has promised to raise teachers wages as soon as next year.

They are also working on introducing new qualifications and programmes to attract young people to teaching in the hope of preventing an education crisis in less than 10 years time.

Kremikovtsi - 17 September 2018

1. Students entering classroom

2. Various second-graders sitting at desks

3. Various of first day of school welcoming ceremony at the Vassil Levski 156th Primary school

4. School Principal addressing the children and parents gathered on the first day of school

5. SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian) Valentina Kurinova, principal of the Vassil Levski 156th Primary school:

"The society should stop seeing teachers as enemies - theirs and their children's. Parents blame us for everything that happens to their children without taking into account that the work is mutual. I believe that society and parents should start supporting teachers and look at us as those who hold their children's future in their hands and should offer their utmost respect because it will be too late when we realise there is no one left to teach our children."

6. Principal looking at a notebook

7. Various of pieces of art made by the schoolchildren

8. SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian) Mariya Aleksieva, primary school teacher:

"We use the Envision software where you have one computer and many mice. They can answer questions - each one with their own mouse and the answers are kept in the system. Then we can export a statistic on how the children did on a particular question and in the whole lesson. It helps us to understand whether we taught them well, because if the whole class didn't understand it - we ourselves might be to blame."

9. Various of children sitting in Aleksieva's classroom

10. Close of Aleksieva and Yoncheva talking and looking at a book

11. Wide of Aleksieva and Yoncheva applauding the ceremony

12. SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian) Ekaterina Yoncheva, teacher in Bulgarian language and Literature

"Once you see in the eyes of a child the happiness that you have helped her somehow become a better person, nothing can turn you away from this profession any more. Even if at some point you are starting to work on something else, once you've been a teacher, you remain forever a teacher - till the end of your life. It really is a calling."

13. Close of children walking in classroom

14. Wide of the school flag during ceremony

15. School children at the ceremony

LEADIN

There's a push to protect a dying language spoken by Jews in Spain over 500 years ago.

Judeo-Spanish is a medieval language that is now only spoken by a number of dwindling people.

The Royal Spanish Language Academy is proposing to create a Judeo-Spanish Academy in Israel to ensure the language never dies out.

STORYLINE

The medieval city of Toledo sits on a sweeping horse-shoe bend of the Tajo River, 70 kms south of Madrid.

Toledo contains many treasures for visitors including enchanting cobble-stoned streets in one of Spain's best preserved Jewish quarters.

At the heart of the quarter sits El Transito synagogue, a unique, Nasrid styled temple.

Founded by Samuel ha-Levi Abulafia in 1356, it was converted to a church after the expulsion of the Jews by the Catholic Monarchs of Fernando and Isabel in 1492. It's now a museum of Spain's troubled relation with Judaism.

After the exile of 1492, "The Jews of Spain" known as Sephardi Jews carried their religious and cultural heritage across North Africa, Southern Europe and the Ottoman Empire.

Part of the Sephardi's most treasured elements of cultural identity, and one which would forever link them to their homeland was the Judeo-Spanish language, also known as Ladino..

Judeo-Spanish, is a Romance language that to the ear sounds like it could be some sort of medieval Spanish.

Judeo-Spanish developed through incorporating elements of the languages used on the Iberian Peninsula before the 15th Century, and to which were added further influences of the areas where the exiled Jews ended up living.

In an attempt to right Spain's debt with the Jewish people and to protect an endangered cultural heritage, the Royal Spanish Language Academy has decided to start the process of creating a Judeo-Spanish Academy in Israel.

The headquarters of the Royal Academy is in Madrid, adjacent to the Prado Art Museum.

Founded in 1713, its mission is to ensure that the constant changes affecting the Spanish language do not damage the essential unity of the language in the countries where it is spoken.

The Academy has created 23 Academies over the last 200 years, protecting Spanish in countries like Colombia, Mexico and Equatorial Guinea.

The Academy's current Director, Dario Villanueva, explains the rich historical patrimony of Judeo-Spanish: "The Judeo-Spanish is the Castellano of the end of the 15th Century when the Jews were expelled from Spain. What happened was that they marched across the world taking with them Sephardi which was and is the Jewish name for Spain, this language is a patrimony which is totally unavoidable. Of course this language which they spoke and continue to speak mixed with elements of the countries where they ended up in: Turkey, the Balkans and of course the North of Africa where a special Judeo-Spanish is spoken. "

But with the challenges of saving a language that is spoken and understood by only a few hundred thousand across the globe, Villanueva is clear that the mission of the new academy is "not to resuscitate Judeo-Spanish."

Aitor Garcia Moreno has been studying Sephardic culture since 2000 and is one of the academics assisting in the creation of the new academy.

He is an investigator at the Spanish National Research Council. He is clear that there must be a reason for the speakers of a language to want to save it

Although in peril, Judeo-Spanish does have a 15 minute slot every week on Spanish National Radio's foreign service.

The programme was created by Matilde Barnatan in 1986 and she was later joined by her daughter Viviana.

For 32 years the mother and daughter team offer listeners worldwide Judeo-Spanish poems, music and Sephardi history.

Viviana is proud of her role in continuing the legacy of Judeo-Spanish to future generations but acknowledges the debt of older Ladino speakers.

"We have been, like many others all over the world, working for many years (to get Judeo-Spanish known). We and unknown heroes who are usually more elderly people pass on this language aurally because this is how this language is learnt."

Judeo-Spanish advocate Marcel Israel was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria and has lived in Spain for over 20 years. He ensures he speaks Judeo-Spanish every day.

He reads a poem in Judeo-Spanish from the 17th century, the verses identify the symbolic nature of fruit and vegetables in Jewish culture.

Amongst his many current roles is that of activist for the creation of the new Judeo-Spanish academy.

He has no doubt that it is not only a linguistic need but the repayment by the Spanish authorities of a historical debt with the Jewish people.

"I think it is a debt that society and the government has. This is a jewel and it must be preserved because if this is lost it will be a shame. For this it must be maintained and developed. As I always say there are very few examples of languages where the group of speakers was expelled in such a horrific way but it has been maintained as it was over 500 years ago."

The new Royal Academy for Judeo-Spanish is currently awaiting confirmation by the Israeli authorities. Its base is expected to be in Tel Aviv.

Toledo, Spain - 6 March 2018

1. General wide view of Toledo

2. Jewish quarter

3. Exterior of building in Jewish quarter

4. Narrow street in Jewish quarter

5. Pedestrians in Jewish quarter

6. Hebrew on stone slab outside Synagogue

7. Hebrew word on tile in Jewish quarter

8. Menorah (candle) symbol on tile in Jewish quarter

9. Various Hebrew writings on display inside Toledo synagogue

Madrid, Spain - 6 March 2018

10. Exterior of the Royal Spanish Language Academy

11. Interior reading room and library

12. Set-up shot Dario Villanueva, Director Royal Spanish Language Academy (RAE)

13. Detail of Reading room

14. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Dario Villanueva, Director Royal Spanish Language Academy ++AUDIO AS INCOMING++

"The Judeo-Spanish is the Castellano of the end of the 15th Century when the Jews were expelled from Spain. What happened was that they marched across the world taking with them Sephardi which was and is the Jewish name for Spain, this language is a patrimony which is totally unavoidable. Of course this language which they spoke and continue to speak mixed with elements of the countries where they ended up in: Turkey, the Balkans and of course the North of Africa where a special Judeo-Spanish is spoken. So, there is an incredible patrimony."

Toledo, Spain - 6 March 2018

15. Visitors at the Toledo Synagogue

16. Ceiling of the Synagogue

17. Preserved wall and windows of the synagogue

18. Menorah on display

19. Star of David medallion on display

Madrid, Spain - 6 March 2018

20. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Dario Villanueva, Director Royal Spanish Language Academy

"The purpose of the Academy is to not resuscitate Judeo-Spanish because that is a Herculean task but not impossible. As we have seen with Hebrew, Hebrew became, with the creation of the State of Israel, an active and full language. Whilst before it had a condition more specifically for religious ceremonies and rituals, a ceremonial language. But this is not the principal objective of the Judeo-Spanish academy. What we intend is to dignify the memory of Judeo-Spanish and defend its full validity because all that has been written and sung and aurally shared of Judeo-Spanish has been registered and this is a patrimony of great, great value. This patrimony is fundamental and gives foundation to any expectations about this language being spoken that we could have looking forward."

21. Books and RAE logo on window

Madrid, Spain - 5 March 2018

22. Sephardic investigator for the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) Aitor Garcia Moreno at his desk

23. Close up Aitor Garcia Moreno, Sephardic investigator

24. Garcia Moreno goes through book

25. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Aitor Garcia Moreno, Sephardic Investigator

"The Judeo-Spanish is at this moment listed by UNESCO as a language under serious threat of extinction. Is there a possibility of a movement to rebuild it ? Well, there have been other languages that were also in a very precarious position that have not only been saved: but by a system of linguistic policies have become widely known and revitalized. However, the problem with any language not just with Judeo-Spanish is why would anybody at a certain moment in time need to use the language."

Madrid, Spain - 8 March 2018

26. Digital clock at Spanish National Radio studios

27. Screen showing audio levels

UPSOUND: "Spanish National Radio Foreign Service" "Sephardic programming, your programme in Sephardi"

28. Mother and daughter Matilde and Viviana Barnatan in studio at the beginning of the recording

29. Viviana Barnatan introducing programme, speaking Judeo-Spanish

30. Various of Viviana Barnatan explaining contents of programme, speaking Judeo-Spanish

31. Matilde and Viviana Barnatan sign-off the programme, speaking Judeo-Spanish

32. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Matilde Barnatan, Radio presenter

"We love to talk in Judeo-Spanish, Djudezmo, Espanolito our mother tongue. It is a language that I have inherited from my mother who comes from Rhodes in the Aegean sea."

33. Close technician controls audio levels

34. Matilde Barnatan looks at script

35. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Viviana Barnatan, Radio presenter

"We have been, like many others all over the world, working for many years (to get Judeo-Spanish known). We and unknown heroes who are usually more elderly people pass on this language aurally because this is how this language is learnt."

36. Judeo-Spanish advocate and speaker Marcel Israel looks at books along stands specializing in antique publications

37. Marcel Israel looking at book fair

38. Marcel reads verses in Judeo-Spanish

39. Marcel picks up book

40. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Marcel Israel, Judeo-Spanish advocate

"I think it is a debt that society and the government has. This is a jewel and it must be preserved because if this is lost it will be a shame. For this it must be maintained and developed. As I always say there are very few examples of languages where the group of speakers was expelled in such a horrific way but it has been maintained as it was over 500 years ago."

Toledo, Spain - 6 March 2018

41. Hebraic writing on the walls of the Toledo Synagogue

42. Carvings on the walls of the synagogue

43. Tilt up photograph of Jewish couple in Spain circa. 1962

44. Mosaic windows

LEADIN

There's a push to protect a dying language spoken by Jews in Spain over 500 years ago.

Judeo-Spanish is a medieval language that is now only spoken by a number of dwindling people.

The Royal Spanish Language Academy is proposing to create a Judeo-Spanish Academy in Israel to ensure the language never dies out.

STORYLINE

The medieval city of Toledo sits on a sweeping horse-shoe bend of the Tajo River, 70 kms south of Madrid.

Toledo contains many treasures for visitors including enchanting cobble-stoned streets in one of Spain's best preserved Jewish quarters.

At the heart of the quarter sits El Transito synagogue, a unique, Nasrid styled temple.

Founded by Samuel ha-Levi Abulafia in 1356, it was converted to a church after the expulsion of the Jews by the Catholic Monarchs of Fernando and Isabel in 1492. It's now a museum of Spain's troubled relation with Judaism.

After the exile of 1492, "The Jews of Spain" known as Sephardi Jews carried their religious and cultural heritage across North Africa, Southern Europe and the Ottoman Empire.

Part of the Sephardi's most treasured elements of cultural identity, and one which would forever link them to their homeland was the Judeo-Spanish language, also known as Ladino..

Judeo-Spanish, is a Romance language that to the ear sounds like it could be some sort of medieval Spanish.

Judeo-Spanish developed through incorporating elements of the languages used on the Iberian Peninsula before the 15th Century, and to which were added further influences of the areas where the exiled Jews ended up living.

In an attempt to right Spain's debt with the Jewish people and to protect an endangered cultural heritage, the Royal Spanish Language Academy has decided to start the process of creating a Judeo-Spanish Academy in Israel.

The headquarters of the Royal Academy is in Madrid, adjacent to the Prado Art Museum.

Founded in 1713, its mission is to ensure that the constant changes affecting the Spanish language do not damage the essential unity of the language in the countries where it is spoken.

The Academy has created 23 Academies over the last 200 years, protecting Spanish in countries like Colombia, Mexico and Equatorial Guinea.

The Academy's current Director, Dario Villanueva, explains the rich historical patrimony of Judeo-Spanish: "The Judeo-Spanish is the Castellano of the end of the 15th Century when the Jews were expelled from Spain. What happened was that they marched across the world taking with them Sephardi which was and is the Jewish name for Spain, this language is a patrimony which is totally unavoidable. Of course this language which they spoke and continue to speak mixed with elements of the countries where they ended up in: Turkey, the Balkans and of course the North of Africa where a special Judeo-Spanish is spoken. "

But with the challenges of saving a language that is spoken and understood by only a few hundred thousand across the globe, Villanueva is clear that the mission of the new academy is "not to resuscitate Judeo-Spanish."

Aitor Garcia Moreno has been studying Sephardic culture since 2000 and is one of the academics assisting in the creation of the new academy.

He is an investigator at the Spanish National Research Council. He is clear that there must be a reason for the speakers of a language to want to save it

Although in peril, Judeo-Spanish does have a 15 minute slot every week on Spanish National Radio's foreign service.

The programme was created by Matilde Barnatan in 1986 and she was later joined by her daughter Viviana.

For 32 years the mother and daughter team offer listeners worldwide Judeo-Spanish poems, music and Sephardi history.

Viviana is proud of her role in continuing the legacy of Judeo-Spanish to future generations but acknowledges the debt of older Ladino speakers.

"We have been, like many others all over the world, working for many years (to get Judeo-Spanish known). We and unknown heroes who are usually more elderly people pass on this language aurally because this is how this language is learnt."

Judeo-Spanish advocate Marcel Israel was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria and has lived in Spain for over 20 years. He ensures he speaks Judeo-Spanish every day.

He reads a poem in Judeo-Spanish from the 17th century, the verses identify the symbolic nature of fruit and vegetables in Jewish culture.

Amongst his many current roles is that of activist for the creation of the new Judeo-Spanish academy.

He has no doubt that it is not only a linguistic need but the repayment by the Spanish authorities of a historical debt with the Jewish people.

"I think it is a debt that society and the government has. This is a jewel and it must be preserved because if this is lost it will be a shame. For this it must be maintained and developed. As I always say there are very few examples of languages where the group of speakers was expelled in such a horrific way but it has been maintained as it was over 500 years ago."

The new Royal Academy for Judeo-Spanish is currently awaiting confirmation by the Israeli authorities. Its base is expected to be in Tel Aviv.

Toledo, Spain - 6 March 2018

1. General wide view of Toledo

2. Jewish quarter

3. Exterior of building in Jewish quarter

4. Narrow street in Jewish quarter

5. Pedestrians in Jewish quarter

6. Hebrew on stone slab outside Synagogue

7. Hebrew word on tile in Jewish quarter

8. Menorah (candle) symbol on tile in Jewish quarter

9. Various Hebrew writings on display inside Toledo synagogue

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Madrid, Spain - 6 March 2018

10. Exterior of the Royal Spanish Language Academy

11. Interior reading room and library

12. Set-up shot Dario Villanueva, Director Royal Spanish Language Academy (RAE)

13. Detail of Reading room

14. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Dario Villanueva, Director Royal Spanish Language Academy ++AUDIO AS INCOMING++

"The Judeo-Spanish is the Castellano of the end of the 15th Century when the Jews were expelled from Spain. What happened was that they marched across the world taking with them Sephardi which was and is the Jewish name for Spain, this language is a patrimony which is totally unavoidable. Of course this language which they spoke and continue to speak mixed with elements of the countries where they ended up in: Turkey, the Balkans and of course the North of Africa where a special Judeo-Spanish is spoken. So, there is an incredible patrimony."

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Toledo, Spain - 6 March 2018

15. Visitors at the Toledo Synagogue

16. Ceiling of the Synagogue

17. Preserved wall and windows of the synagogue

18. Menorah on display

19. Star of David medallion on display

Madrid, Spain - 6 March 2018

20. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Dario Villanueva, Director Royal Spanish Language Academy

"The purpose of the Academy is to not resuscitate Judeo-Spanish because that is a Herculean task but not impossible. As we have seen with Hebrew, Hebrew became, with the creation of the State of Israel, an active and full language. Whilst before it had a condition more specifically for religious ceremonies and rituals, a ceremonial language. But this is not the principal objective of the Judeo-Spanish academy. What we intend is to dignify the memory of Judeo-Spanish and defend its full validity because all that has been written and sung and aurally shared of Judeo-Spanish has been registered and this is a patrimony of great, great value. This patrimony is fundamental and gives foundation to any expectations about this language being spoken that we could have looking forward."

21. Books and RAE logo on window

Madrid, Spain - 5 March 2018

22. Sephardic investigator for the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) Aitor Garcia Moreno at his desk

23. Close up Aitor Garcia Moreno, Sephardic investigator

24. Garcia Moreno goes through book

25. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Aitor Garcia Moreno, Sephardic Investigator

"The Judeo-Spanish is at this moment listed by UNESCO as a language under serious threat of extinction. Is there a possibility of a movement to rebuild it ? Well, there have been other languages that were also in a very precarious position that have not only been saved: but by a system of linguistic policies have become widely known and revitalized. However, the problem with any language not just with Judeo-Spanish is why would anybody at a certain moment in time need to use the language."

Madrid, Spain - 8 March 2018

26. Digital clock at Spanish National Radio studios

27. Screen showing audio levels

UPSOUND: "Spanish National Radio Foreign Service" "Sephardic programming, your programme in Sephardi"

28. Mother and daughter Matilde and Viviana Barnatan in studio at the beginning of the recording

29. Viviana Barnatan introducing programme, speaking Judeo-Spanish

30. Various of Viviana Barnatan explaining contents of programme, speaking Judeo-Spanish

31. Matilde and Viviana Barnatan sign-off the programme, speaking Judeo-Spanish

32. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Matilde Barnatan, Radio presenter

"We love to talk in Judeo-Spanish, Djudezmo, Espanolito our mother tongue. It is a language that I have inherited from my mother who comes from Rhodes in the Aegean sea."

33. Close technician controls audio levels

34. Matilde Barnatan looks at script

35. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Viviana Barnatan, Radio presenter

"We have been, like many others all over the world, working for many years (to get Judeo-Spanish known). We and unknown heroes who are usually more elderly people pass on this language aurally because this is how this language is learnt."

36. Judeo-Spanish advocate and speaker Marcel Israel looks at books along stands specializing in antique publications

37. Marcel Israel looking at book fair

38. Marcel reads verses in Judeo-Spanish

39. Marcel picks up book

40. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Marcel Israel, Judeo-Spanish advocate

"I think it is a debt that society and the government has. This is a jewel and it must be preserved because if this is lost it will be a shame. For this it must be maintained and developed. As I always say there are very few examples of languages where the group of speakers was expelled in such a horrific way but it has been maintained as it was over 500 years ago."

Toledo, Spain - 6 March 2018

41. Hebraic writing on the walls of the Toledo Synagogue

42. Carvings on the walls of the synagogue

43. Tilt up photograph of Jewish couple in Spain circa. 1962

44. Mosaic windows

SHOTLIST:

1. Wide exterior of the Museum of Jewish heritage in New York

2. Wide of Holocaust survivors, their family members, and other guests singing during service

3. Close up woman singing, rack focuses to man singing

4. Media

5. Holocaust survivor and young high school student lighting a candle in remembrance of those who died

6. Close up Holocaust survivor looking on as candles are lit

7. Close up Norbert Friedman (Holocaust survivor) and a high school student lighting candle in remembrance of those who died

8. Close up of Friedman's hand and high school students hand as candle is lit

9. Close up woman crying as candle's are lit

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Norbert Friedman, Holocaust Survivor

"I can tell you what my emotions and thoughts were at the moment I was lighting the candle. I have one picture from before the war. It is of my fourth grade. There are 44 friends of mine, schoolmates, of those 44 only 6 survived. The rest of them perished in the war."

11. Close up candle burning in remembrance of those who died

12. Close up match being struck and lighting candle

13. Holocaust survivor lighting candle with high school students watching

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Nadine Mitchell, High school Student

"I feel it helps us to remember the Holocaust which is an example of how hatred can ruin a people."

15. Wide of ceremony commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Bulgarian rescue of its Jewish population during the Holocaust

16. Close up of Dan Gillerman, Israeli Ambassador to the UN

17. Close up of Stefan Tafrov, Bulgarian Ambassador to the UN

18. Two people attending ceremony, listening to speeches

19. Bulgaria Ambassador Stefan Tafrov lighting a candle in remembrance of those who died

20. Close up candles burning

21. Wide of candles and crowd gathered for ceremony

STORYLINE:

Memorial services were held across New York city as Jews around the world stopped to remember those who perished in the Holocaust.

At the Museum of Jewish Heritage, six Holocaust survivors joined six high school students to light candles of remembrance.

One survivor said that while he lit his candle, he remembered the 38 members of his fourth grade class who died in the Second World War.

He was one of only six in his class to survive.

After the candles were lit, a moment of silence observed.

Later in the day, a ceremony was held at the Anti-Defamation League's "Wall of Remembrance" which is located in Dag Hammarskjold Park across the street form the United Nations.

This ceremony specifically honored the Bulgarian people who in 1944 stood united against the Nazis and prevented some 50,000 Bulgarian Jews from being deported to Nazi death camps.

The Israeli and Bulgarian Ambassadors to the UN both attended the service and lit candles in remembrance of those who died.