Slovakia has passed a major new package of education laws to improve the quality and accessibility of schools. Education Minister Tomáš Drucker (Hlas-SD) says it is the largest reform in two decades and could add billions to the economy if fully implemented.
“The possibility of agreeing on rules between a public school or institution, an employer, and the producer of the 'know-how' on how to share, for example, future profits and intellectual property patents, is what we have changed,” Drucker said.
The reforms cover early childhood, secondary, and higher education, as well as funding rules. From 2027, preschool will be mandatory for four-year-olds, and from 2028 also for three-year-olds. A new technical secondary school will be introduced, and teachers will be able to use verbal grading for older pupils. Mathematics will become a compulsory graduation exam, with higher-level math required for technical and science students. Funding rules tie full support for private and church schools to fair admission policies. The reforms also strengthen teacher protections against public defamation, improve information sharing between schools and counseling services, and introduce measures for mental health protection. Drucker says the reforms align with OECD recommendations and aim to ensure equal opportunities for all children, regardless of background.
Source: TASR
