The Government of the Republic of Slovenian adopted in April 2021 the Recovery and resilience plan (sl). The Ministers EU approved it end of July 2021. It includes several projects to support the process of modernisation of upper secondary vocational education. One plans to modernise and/or develop new study programmes (continuous education and training programme, too) that will reflect the needs and development of the market and society, namely by improving and/or integration of digital and sustainable component, as well a good balance between vocational and key competences. The underlying basis of the plan is to improve the cooperation between the education system and labour market (apprenticeship) to cater an efficient and faster transition of young people to the labour market. Projects will include a project to develop and set up an application to monitor the employability of upper secondary vocational graduates.
The Ministry responsible for education started in February 2021 the multi-year modernisation of education programmes (sl). By the decision of the Minister, the National education institute Slovenia has to develop background material for the modernisation of education programmes in basic and upper secondary general education, background material for modernisation of knowledge catalogues for general education subjects in upper secondary vocation and technical education, and short upper secondary vocational education, as well as background material for modernisation of the Kindergarten curriculum.
The Institute has to relate the background material to the current Analysis of subject-curricula in basic school and upper secondary general education, the findings of the pilots carried out and development projects and activities, as well as concepts developed in parallel. The process of developing background material has to comply with the strategic goals and policies of the national recovery plan that seeks to improve, in particular, the digital competences and sustainable development competences in basic and upper secondary general education, as well as other important strategic development documents of the Republic of Slovenia.
In July 2021, the Ministry responsible for education consulted the public on the draft Resolution on the master plan for adult education 2021–2030 (sl). The resolution defined public interest in adult education. It encapsulated the objectives and indicators of the plan, priority areas in adult education, actions on the provision of adult education, scope of relevant funding, ministries responsible for individual actions, as well as the manner of harmonisation while pursuing the goals, and the manner of monitoring the implementation of the plan. The master plan shall include respective programmes and activities of competent ministries that will be public service.
In 2021, the amended Labour Market Regulation Act (sl) came into force. It imposed on the unemployed third-country nationals the requirement to attest the competence in Slovenian language at the entry level (level A1) within 12 months at the latest after they have been entered on the register of unemployment persons. This requirement will be deemed satisfied for a third-country national who had finished basic school or upper secondary, short-cycle higher vocational or higher education programme in Slovenia or was issued an officially recognised certificate attesting their competence in Slovenian language at level A1. Third-country nationals can enrol on a course and take an exam in Slovenian at the level A1 after they joint the active employment action. The Centre for Slovenian as a second and foreign language, Faculty of arts, University of Ljubljana administers exams in Slovenian.
In August, the Ministry responsible for labour, family and social affairs consulted the public on the amendments of the Labour Market Regulation Act (sl). It makes provision to extend the deadline for taking the exam in Slovenian language until 30 June 2022 for persons for whom the deadline will have lapsed on 31 December 2021 and the Employment office of the Republic of Slovenia has not referred them to take exam in Slovenian until December 2021 to extend the deadline until 30 June 2022.
The Ministry responsible for infrastructure modernised with the Act amending the Road transport Act (sl) as of 1 September 2021 the system of subsidised tickets for upper secondary and higher education students and adult education learners, as well as it introduced the subsidised ticket for integrated public passenger transport. The ticket at a common price of EUR25 for one month and/or EUR200 for a year will allow students to travel unlimitedly on the public transport intercity routes in Slovenia. That means between not only the place of residence and place of education, but on routes all over the country.
In July 2021, the Minister responsible for education adopted:
In July 2021, the Ministry responsible for education consulted the public on the following draft new rules with relevant preambles to amendments:
The majority of propose amendments related to increase in number the counselling staff, librarians, and organisers of practical training at work, as well as accounting, administrative and technical staff. The draft rules introduce a new job post of a cook or dietary cook in upper secondary schools, as well.
In June 2021, the Education, Science and Culture Trade Union of Slovenia signed with the Government of the Republic of Slovenian the Annex to the Collective Agreement for the Education Sector in the Republic of Slovenia (Annex to the Collective Agreement for the Education Sector in the Republic of Slovenia). It amended and/or stipulated the time lag for the salary, namely to be paid out on the day 10 of the relevant month at the latest. Further, it amended the commuting, meal and holiday allowances, amount of daily and off-site allowances, allowance per kilometre covered by a personal vehicle for work, holiday allowance, allowance for meals, compensation for upper secondary and higher education students in compulsory practical training, and threshold for acquiring the right to solidary help for members of the representative union. Now, the amount of the allowance for meals will be adjusted twice a year, the amount of the separation allowance, daily allowance for business travels within the country, long-service bonuses and solidarity help once a year, and for the years of service taken into account when acquiring the right to long-service bonus one shall also take into account years of service at concessionaires that pursue activities in the public service network.
In May 2021, the Minister responsible for education adopted the new Co-funding school competitions Rules (sl). The competent Ministry consulted other ministries and the public on the new Rules in February 2021. It specifies requirements, selection procedure and manner of funding, as well as eligible cost for co-funding school competition in knowledge, and school competitions in talent, skills and for popularisation of knowledge for basic and upper secondary education. The Rules further specify the manner of defining the number of golden and silver awards, as well as selection procedure and eligible costs of international competitions organised in the Republic of Slovenia.
In March 2021, the Minister responsible for education adopted the Rules amending the Upper secondary school calendar Rules (sl). It will apply from the school year 2021/2022. It introduces some changes to dates (exams and end of school), does away with mismatch with the relevant laws on annual work plan. The names of statistical regions will be updated and start dates for individual holidays amended, that is no-school days (public holidays). It also does away with the mismatch with the Upper secondary school documentation.
In January 2021, the Minister responsible for education approved the amendments:
The amendments allow for eventual extra reduction in instruction time in view of the organisation to date for a teacher who is responsible to organise information activities and has proper competences.
The Ordinance on the approach to meeting the recovered-vaccinated-tested requirements to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 (sl) came into force on September 6. It imposed self-testing on the students in grades 7, 8 and 9 and upper secondary students, adult education learners, and higher education students. Self-testing is imposed on children and young people enroled in institutions for education and training for SEN children (institutions for children with emotional and behavioural disorders), and students at third to sixth level of special education programmes unless objective reasons exist against it. Basic school and upper secondary students, adult education learners and higher education students self-test with antigen testing kits at one-week intervals. They receive free test kits at the pharmacist’s. The antigen testing kits shall be state funded.
The ordinance imposed on education staff and other staff at all levels of education the recovered-vaccinated-tested requirement. The results of antigen self-testing kits taken at one-week intervals apply, as well. Employers in education provide funds for self-testing and specify the time and place of self-testing, it can be at home or at work. Employers can according to the ordinance act against the employees who do not meet the RVT requirement, namely according to the rules on occupational health and safety, rules on employment relations, and respective collective agreements. Persons and employees who fail to meet the RVT requirement shall not be allowed to used services and participate or be present during the provision of the service.
By the Decision on educational activities in public educational institutions in the school year 2021/2022 (sl) the new school year started in basic schools and upper secondary schools according to the model B according to the models and recommendations in circumstance of COVID-19 infectious disease (sl). Educational institutions have to account for the current epidemiological situation and pursue the educational activities as recommended by National institute of public health.
By the Distance teaching decision (sl) the distance teaching and learning in basic and upper secondary schools will take place if:
Temporary restriction or prohibition of crowding in educational institutions, organisation of educational activities adjusted to epidemiological restrictions (alternate lessons etc.), and the competent inspectorate decides that the institution does not meet the defined restrictions to contain the spread of COVID-19 or quarantining of individual classes.
On 1 April 2021, the deteriorated epidemiological situation and by the relevant ordinance of the Government (sl) all upper secondary schools closed. They welcomed back final-year students in upper secondary education (as to the 4- or 3-year programme) and all students in short upper secondary vocational education (2-year programmes) on 12 April 2021. The remaining students returned returned to school to follow the hybrid model, namely half of classes alternates weekly between school and distance learning. On 10 May 2021 all students returned to school to regular provision.
In March or April 2021, the Minister responsible for education adopted:
On 8 March 2021 and in accordance with the Ordinance on the temporary prohibition of assembly in educational institutions and universities (sl), the upper secondary schools opened their doors to the remaining students still taking distance lessons. The students returned to school to sit their lessons according to the adapted model C. This means that students alternatively go to school for one week and stay at home and take distance lessons the next. In this way, only half of students or classes are present at school. Present at all time at school for all lessons are students in final years and all students in short upper secondary vocational education.
On 15 February 2021, all final-year students in upper secondary education and all students in short upper secondary vocational education, too, returned to school. According to the Ordinance on the temporary prohibition of assembly in educational institutions and universities (sl) as of February 2021, the staff of educational institutions have to get weekly rapid SARS-CoV-2 test.
In February 2021, the Minister responsible for education adopted the Rules on the method of funding the protection equipment and room disinfection for providers in education and science (sl). It applies to the state funding. The funding criteria are number of employees and number of children and students as per standard cost of each employee and participant. The period of funding eligible costs of protection equipment takes from 1 March 2021 until the stop of compulsory use of protection equipment and disinfection of rooms for spread prevention of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
In February 2021, the National Assembly adopted the Act on Additional Measures for Mitigation of Consequences COVID-19 (sl). It gives students who are regular students of officially recognised education programmes in the Republic of Slovenia in the school year 2020/2021 and are not in employment relationship the right to a single solidarity benefit of €50.
In January 2021, the Minister responsible for education adopted for smooth winter term delivery of vocational matura and final examination in the school year 2020/2021
You can read more about it in the circular letter by the Ministry responsible for education (sl).
In January 2021, the Minister responsible for education adopted the Decision on the Slovenian course and additional Slovenian lessons in the school year 2020/2021 for students whose first language is not Slovenian or students who completed basic education outside the Republic of Slovenia (sl). It provided for the delivery of the intensive Slovenian course at some point until the end of the school year 2020/2021, but not necessarily in the first grading cycle or until the end of January of the current school year as it is specified otherwise. According to the Decision, students will not take examination in Slovenian after they had completed the course during the distance delivery of lessons and educational activities.
In this school year, upper secondary schools started to use the modernised upper secondary programmes that include a new component, the so-called other forms of educational activities that include selective content in the gimnazija programmes, and interest activities in vocational programmes, as well as compulsory content active citizenship.
In February 2020, the Councils of experts of the Republic of Slovenia for general education and vocational and technical education passed the amended upper secondary education programmes. The programmes include a new component or other forms of educational activities: a compulsory set of contents on active citizenship, as well as non-compulsory contents in gimnazije and interest activities in vocational and technical education. Furthermore, the Council of experts of the Republic of Slovenia for general education approved in February the subject-curriculum and catalogues of knowledge for the above set of contents. The revised programmes will come into operation with the school year 2020/2021.
In July 2020, one held a national meeting of stakeholders and social partners to discuss the development of the new master plan for education of adults for the period 2021 to 2030 (sl). The vision of the new plan is to give all adult citizens in Slovenia the same opportunities for quality education through their life. The activities for the development of the plan started in spring 2019 when, the Minister of education called out to other ministries, social partners, local communities and other stakeholders to join in and started the process of the development of the new master plan for education of adults for the period of 2021–2030. Thus, Slovenia implemented the recommendation of the second phase of the Skills strategy (OECD 2018). Until the summer, various responsible actors at different levels of professional and other meetings started the discussion (Professional consultation on the new scheme of the basic school for adults, Andragogic convention, Meeting 320 of the Economic and Social Council).
In May 2020, the Minister responsible for education, on a recommendation by the Council of experts of the Republic of Slovenia for adult education, adopted the adult education programme Slovenian as the second or foreign language (sl).
End of December 2020, the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Act on the Intervention for Children and Youth with Emotional and Behavioural disorders in Education (sl). The new law sets out the operations of behaviour related educational institutions that will in the future, pursue the activities of professional centres in four geographical areas and will on their own or in cooperation with other professional centres provide the integrated help to children and youth with emotional and behavioural disorders. The law provides for several possibilities of flexible support, cooperation of individual sectors, as well as introduces mechanisms for better protection of rights and safety of children, youth and staff. Chiefly, the law seeks to establish a single setting for integrated treatment of children with emotional and behavioural disorders in behaviour related educational institutions that are in the realm of different ministries, and facilitate the establishment of professional centres to provide the preventive activities for children in kindergartens and schools. In this way, children will receive help and support needed sooner rather later and it will facilitate eventual placements later.
In December 2020, the Minister responsible for education adopted the Rules on norms and standards for funding and provision of public service in adult education (sl). The Rules is the background document for decisions on funding the public service in 2021. This includes counselling service in adult education, and the basic school programme for adults.
In August 2020, one adopted the Rules amending the Education staff promotion Rules (sl), namely to honour the agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Education, science and culture trade union of Slovenia in December 2018. The Government committed to modernise in cooperation with the Union the career development of education staff. The Rules allow for the education staff to be promoted to the highest title.
In July 2020 the Ministry of education coordinated inter ministries the draft new law on early treatment of children and young people with emotional and conduct disorders in education.
In May 2020 and according to the Adult Education Act (sl), the Council of experts of the Republic of Slovenia for adult education approved the Guidelines for counselling service in adult education that is pursued as public service, and the background material for the development of officially recognised education programmes for adults.
In December 2020, the National committee for the matura concluded that the candidates for the matura 2021 have had unfavourable conditions for preparing in extraordinary circumstances of Covid-19 epidemics and schools being closed in the school years 2019/2020 and 2020/2021, lessons nod delivered and distance learning. The Committee adopted in December 2020 the following amendments (sl):
In written exams:
In oral exams:
In December 2020, the Minister responsible for education adopted the Decision on the emergency measures in personnel administration required for smooth operations of educational institutions (sl). According to the decision, upper secondary schools can extra decrease the teaching workload per week for the teacher organiser of information activities with proper competences with proper competence.
In December 2020, the Minister responsible for education adopted Decision on the organisation of lessons and assessment of upper secondary students in the school year 2020/2021 (sl). The decision replaces the two assessment cycles in the school year 2020/2021 with only one that extends throughout the school year. The decisions further specify assessment. The decision specifies that upper secondary schools have to harmonise the school rules of assessment (assessment methods and times defined with the subject-curricula or catalogue of knowledge, and the assessment plan, number of marks necessary in individual subjects or technical module in the assessment cycle), and teachers or expert working groups have to harmonise the assessment plans and notify students about the times of assessment.
In November 2020, one adopted the Act Determining the Intervention Measures to Mitigate the Consequences of the Second Wave of COVID-19 Epidemic (sl). According to the new law, the local communities organised free warm meals for children from deprived backgrounds on the days of the distance learning. On the same basis, the Ministry responsible for education provided additional 8,600 computers for educational institutions, namely by the end of 2020 and to the amount of €5.7 million. By this law, the state will fund the protection equipment for students in programmes of health care and social welfare that they need in pursuing educational activities and obligations.
In October 2020, the Government adopted the Ordinance temporarily prohibiting gatherings of people in educational institutions and universities and independent higher education institutions (sl) End of October 2020, second wave of the pandemic caused schools to close. On 19 October 2020, all upper secondary students started distance learning. The following week were autumn holidays in line with the school calendar. After the holidays, all students stayed at home and continued the distance learning.
In October 2020, one adopted the Act amending the Communicable Diseases Act (sl). According to the amended law, all candidates for upper secondary programmes and higher education study programmes in the field of health, educaiton and social welfare, have to be vaccinated as specified by the Minister responsible for health. Otherwise, the candidate, the enrolment of the candidate will be decluned, except for candidates with a decision on exemption from vaccination for valid health reasons.
In the school year 2020/2021, the education activities in kindergartens, basic schools, upper secondary schools started on 1 September, as normally and according to the B model (all go to school). The Ministry of education developed together with the National education institute and National institute of public health and released the publication "Education in the Republic of Slovenia in reference to COVID-19" (sl). Four possible models of instruction and relevant recommendations have been introduced; how schools can plan and implement education activities. The instructions apply to kindergartens by analogy.
The education models of instruction and/or education activities shall apply according to the epidemiological situation in the country:
End of August, the public institutes (e. g. the National education institute (ZRSŠ) and the Institute for vocational education and training – CPI) implemented various training to support kindergarten teachers and school teachers, head teachers and other education staff in their endeavours to make distance learning work. CPI developed Guidelines for combined implementation of vocational and technical education (.pdf, sl).
In July 2020, the pubic institute Arnes initiated the program “Additional support ICT for the educational process”. The program and the investment aim to provide ICT infrastructure to cater distance learning, improve the infrastructure’s capacity and services, in particular, online classrooms, videoconferences, as well as to purchase around 4,000 notebooks that schools could use in everyday activities and if need be, lend it out to students who do not have equipment for distance learning. The program is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and it tunes up to €4 million. More about the program.
In July 2020, one published the results of the study “Distance education in COVID-19 epidemic times in Slovenia” (sl). It was the National Education Institute (ZRSŠ) that implemented the study in May and June 2020, in week 8 of distance education, to analyse various practices of distance education. The research included the experience of distance teaching and learning, organisation and implementation of instruction, use of digital technology, realisation of learning objectives, didactical strategies and methods of distance teaching, assessment of knowledge, self-evaluation of skills to implement distance teaching, benefits and challenges, as well as cooperation with different stakeholders.
With the improved epidemic situation, upper secondary schools welcomed back final year students on 18 May. On 3 June kindergartens and basic schools reopened doors for all students, but most upper secondary students with some exceptions continued studies at home. Upper secondary schools reopened their doors for all on 24 June, when students came to pick up their certificates.
Final year upper secondary students completed their education as specified by rules, namely they took final examination, vocational matura and/or general matura.
In April and May 2020, the Ministry in cooperation with the Ministry of health, National institute of public health, National education Institute, Institute for vocational education and training, Slovenian institute for adult education, representatives of the head teacher associations, representatives of the Independent trade union of education, science and culture, as well as other stakeholders joined forces to set conditions for quality education, care for vulnerable groups, and safe reopening of kindergartens and schools. For this purpose, specific measures and actions were specified in the legislation on intervention measures to supress the epidemic spread and contain the epidemic and reduce or do away with negative impacts; the educational institutions received circular letters, instructions and recommendations for the implementation of educational process, assessment and completion of the school year.
Instructions and recommendations (sl) for kindergartens, schools, as well as schools and educational institutions for SEN children, higher vocational collages, residence halls for upper secondary students, music schools,
and the Information and professional recommendation (sl) for adult education institutions have been published on online.
The two decisions published on the sites of the Ministry of education, science and sports:
In July 2020, one adopted the Act on Intervention Measures to Prepare for the Second Wave (sl). It amended the provisions of the Scholarship Act in reference to reimbursing employers the part funding of sponsorship scholarships, and to obligations of the students receiving scholarships as to employment.
In May 2020, one adopted the Act Determining the Intervention Measures to Mitigate and Remedy the Consequences of the COVID-19 Epidemic (sl) that made provision to exempt parents from payment of kindegarten for the time of absence in the epidemic times, extend the application-enrolment deadlines for higher education institutions, and to consider extreme circumstances in the procedure of obtaining and maintaining the right to scholarship.
In April 2020, the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia adopted and amended the Act Determining the Intervention Measures to Contain the COVID-19 Epidemic and Mitigate its Consequences for Citizens and the Economy (sl). It provided legal background for the provision of distance teaching and possibility for the minister to amend only with a relevant decision the school calendar (academic calendar for tertiary education), assessment, completion of education, final dates to exercise the rights, as well as fulfilment of obligations of all subjects in basic, upper secondary and short-cycle higher vocational education.
The law provided for the recognition of the work-based practical training, compulsory optional content and/or interest activities in upper secondary education. The law also specified the funding for public service providers.
According to the Ordinance on the temporary prohibition of assembly in educational institutions and universities, as well as independent higher education institutions (sl), all kindergartens, school, and most of institutions of education of SEN children, all adult education organisations, universities, and independent higher education institutions, residential halls for basic school, upper secondary and/or higher education students, and music schools closed their doors and have remained closed since 16 March 2020. All childminder, too stopped their operations, as well.
The Ministry of education and National Education Institution Slovenia (ZRSŠ) communicated to basic schools and upper secondary schools the recommendation on how to organise and provide distance learning. At the state’s level, a coordination group was set up. The group coordinates and steers the activities of state institutions in terms of providing support to schools. A single entry point for head teachers and teachers to look for support and guidance, namely at the Slovenian educational network (SIO).
In view of the coronavirus epidemics SARS-CoV-2, several deadlines have been extended: enrolment in short cycle higher vocational education programmes and higher education study programmes; application for several calls; cancellation of professional examination for education staff, etc.
Most schools organised distance learning already on the first day after closing, namely supported by the ZRSŠ and ARNES, contentwise and technical support respectively.
In March 2020, the National Education Institution Slovenia (ZRSŠ) after a month-long public debate of experts published the proposed revision of the concept of identifying gifted and talented learners and educational activities for them. The group of experts on education and educational activities for gifted and talented children at ZRSŠ elaborated the document, and the focus groups gave their critical input, assessment and recommendation. The draft new document is the revised concept of identifying gifted and talented learners and educational activities for such learners at basic school (1999) and upper secondary school (2007). It was premised on appropriate expertise. It provides for identifying potential gifted and talented learners in schools, as well as in kindergartens, and it further outlines the role of mentors, pedagogical coordinators, school counselling service and teachers; It underlines individualisation, differentiation and personalisation in the scope of mainstream instruction and the significance of continuous education and training.
In February 2020, the Minister of education, according to the Adult Education Act of 2018, adopted the Enrolment on basic school for adults programme Rules (sl). It introduced minor changes to the enrolment procedure and new concept of personal educational plan, how to develop and follow it. It allows tracking and reviewing the progress participants make. The Rules will come into operation in September 2020.
In February 2020, the new School textbook fund administration Rules came into operation (sl). School textbook funds have been separate units of school libraries and administered by school librarians. The new rules provide for an expanded range of learning material kept in the textbook fund, and increase in autonomy of school in providing material for learning. It highlights the significance of proper choice of learning material that parents buy. Upper secondary schools that have set up a textbook fund (school autonomy) charge lending fees. Textbook funds are mandatory for basic schools and are state funded. The new methodology used to calculate annual funds now applies to exercise books for grade three students, too. So, the state funds exercise books for all students in the first educational cycle (grades 1–3). However, schools have discretion to allocate funds across grades. School libraries are now included in the information system COBISS as specified by the new Librarianship Act (2015) and related reforms. The system will provide information needed to oversee the implementation of the rules, namely with relevant data.
In January 2020, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the new scholarship policy for the next five-year period (2020–2024) (.pdf, sl). The same as until now, the state will fund scholarships for occupations in demand or 1,000 new scholarships every year to the tune of €1.23 billion per year. One plans to expand the staffing offer for occupations in demand and increase the enrolment in schools with education programmes for occupations in demand. The set of the programmes has not changed significantly and most of them remain at the level of upper secondary vocational and technical education.
In August 2019, the Ministry forwarded for public debate the new Enrolment in basic school for adults Rules (sl). It specifies the call for enrolment, application procedure, enrolment, content of personal educational plan, rules of providers, and sign out. The Rules is planned to be adopted in the fall of 2019 and start to apply from the school year 2019/2020.
In July 2019, the National Assembly passed the new Vocational Education Act (sl). It evens out the managing of students under age and of age in terms of requests for excused absence from school, notifying parents about the education of their children. Parents of students of age will continue to request for excused of their children's absence from school without prior acquiring their consent. Teachers will have the power to disallow attendance to students whose unbecoming behaviour will disrupt seriously the lessons. Furthermore, students will face expulsion upon being issued the fourth official reprimand.
On this topic and based on the decision by the Council of experts of the Republic of Slovenia for vocational and technical education, one published in January 2019, several amended or new education programmes for upper-secondary vocational and professional education. They all shall start with the school year 2019/2020.
In July 2021, the Ministry responsible for education consulted the public on the draft Resolution on the master plan for adult education 2021–2030 (sl). The resolution defined public interest in adult education. It encapsulated the objectives and indicators of the plan, priority areas in adult education, actions on the provision of adult education, scope of relevant funding, ministries responsible for individual actions, as well as the manner of harmonisation while pursuing the goals, and the manner of monitoring the implementation of the plan. The master plan shall include respective programmes and activities of competent ministries that will be public service.
In 2021, the amended Labour Market Regulation Act (sl) came into force. It imposed on the unemployed third-country nationals the requirement to attest the competence in Slovenian language at the entry level (level A1) within 12 months at the latest after they have been entered on the register of unemployment persons. This requirement will be deemed satisfied for a third-country national who had finished basic school or upper secondary, short-cycle higher vocational or higher education programme in Slovenia or was issued an officially recognised certificate attesting their competence in Slovenian language at level A1. Third-country nationals can enrol on a course and take an exam in Slovenian at the level A1 after they joint the active employment action. The Centre for Slovenian as a second and foreign language, Faculty of arts, University of Ljubljana administers exams in Slovenian.
In August, the Ministry responsible for labour, family and social affairs consulted the public on the amendments of the Labour Market Regulation Act (sl). It makes provision to extend the deadline for taking the exam in Slovenian language until 30 June 2022 for persons for whom the deadline will have lapsed on 31 December 2021 and the Employment office of the Republic of Slovenia has not referred them to take exam in Slovenian until December 2021 to extend the deadline until 30 June 2022.
The Ministry responsible for infrastructure modernised with the Act amending the Road transport Act (sl) as of 1 September 2021 the system of subsidised tickets for upper secondary and higher education students and adult education learners, as well as it introduced the subsidised ticket for integrated public passenger transport. The ticket at a common price of EUR25 for one month and/or EUR200 for a year will allow students to travel unlimitedly on the public transport intercity routes in Slovenia. That means between not only the place of residence and place of education, but on routes all over the country.
In July 2021, the Minister responsible for education adopted:
Rules amending the Rules on matura for candidates with special educational needs (sl). The National committee for matura, subject-testing committees in mathematics for matura, and representatives of the association Društvo Bravo reached an agreement on the use of a simple calculator while taking the math exam – examination sheet 1 in general matura. Commonly such aid is not allowed for other students according to the Subject catalogue for mathematics for general matura 2021.
In December 2019, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the National Strategy for the Development of Reading Literacy 2019–2030 (.doc, sl). Its aim is for each and everyone in Slovenia to develop the level of literacy needed for them to become skilled at active life and work. The development of reading literacy is the foundation for economic progress, sustainable development, and social cohesion. Furthermore, continuous development of reading literacy at all ages is a prerequisite of lifelong learning. The strategy includes a framework of specific goals for different age/target groups, and descriptors of reading literacy levels per age group. For further information about the strategy see the Overall national education strategy and key objectives.
Since November until February 2020, the draft new Act on Intervention for Children and Youth with Emotional and Conduct Disorders was coordinated inter ministeries. The public debate on the draft ended in August 2019. Its intent is to secure a single system of holistic intervention for children and youth with emotional and conduct disorders in relevant institutes that up until now had been provided within activities of various sectors, as well as set up situation to allow for professional centres that would pursue preventive activities with children in kindergartens and schools. See further information under Reforms in basic and upper secondary general education.
In September 2019, the new Organisation and reimbursement of travel cost for SEN children and youth Rules (sl) came into operation. The Rules define travelling of SEN children for whom funds are provided by the Ministry of education. The major change is the organisation of transport of preschool children who are entitled under the law on early treatment, and these children are now in equal position with children in adapted programmes at educational institution for SEN children and youth. The Rules came about also after the initiative put forward by parents claiming that they can provide for children to travel to and back from school or institution.
End of September 2019, the Ministry of education, science and sport and the Education, science and culture trade union of Slovenia signed an Agreement on the position of mobile teachers for additional professional support and assistance and teachers for additional professional support and assistance (sl). The agreement specifies common travel cost reimbursement and funds to reimburse for the activities of the same nature performed.
In August 2019, the Ministry of education forwarded to public debate the draft new Textbook fund administration Rules. See further information under National reforms in school education.
Starting with the school year 2019/2020 and based on the strike agreement described in the next paragraph, a new post for form teacher will be introduced; it places form teachers one salary grade higher than the post of teachers in whatever title. Salary grades shall go up one grade for all teachers in November 2019, and for all teachers in the title adviser and counsellor in September 2020.
Based on the strike agreement, agreement on salaries and annexes to the collective agreement signed by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and public sector unions one adopted in published in December 2018 and January 2019 respectively, the Public Sector Salary System Act (en), annexes to collective agreements for non-commercial activities, public sector, education and training activities, as well as other instruments to support their enforcement.