EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN SLOVENIA

Educational System in Slovenia

The Reformed School System

•          The Slovenian school system has seen a number of changes in recent years which are intended to ensure that as many people as possible use their right to education and achieve a higher educational level.

•          Financial Resources for Education.

•  The education system in Slovenia is almost fully financed from the state budget. A small share of the finance is also contributed by local authorities. Included are both state schools and accredited private schools.

Compulsory Basic Education

•          The nine-year basic education is divided into 3 three-year cycles (the first six years as primary education, the final 3 years as lower secondary education).

•          Elementary schools provide a compulsory and extended curriculum.

•          The compulsory curriculum must be provided by schools and studied by all pupils. It consists of compulsory subjects, electives and activity days (culture, science, sports and technology).

•          School must provide the optional elementary school curriculum, but pupils are free to decide whether they will participate. It includes educational assistance for children with special needs, remedial classes, additional classes, after-school care and other forms of care for pupils, interest activities and out-of-school classes.

Upper Secondary Education

•          Upper secondary education includes vocational and technical programmes preparing students predominantly for labour, and general secondary programmes (called gimnazija) preparing students predominantly for further studies;

•          Programmes in secondary education vary in content, duration and goals.

Higher Education

•          Higher education institutions are universities, faculties, art academies and professional colleges.

•          In Slovenia the academic year begins in October and lasts until the end of September in the following year. It is divided into two semesters: the winter semester usually runs from October to January, and the summer semester from February to the middle of July. The organisation of studies is defined with a study programme.