Inspection of the quality of the education-training process is performed by the State School Inspection and the school itself in a form of self-evaluation processes. It is presented in the form of a report on education-training activity, which is created and published by the school for each school year.
The State School Inspection inspects compliance with the binding regulations regarding education and training, the process of education and training and its results, teaching professionalism, space and equipment and professional development of pedagogical employees.
For more information see Chapter Quality Assurance in Early Childhood and School Education.
Requirements for appointment
School inspectors are state employees. They are hired based on a selection procedure arranged by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Sport of the Slovak Republic in compliance with the act on civil service.
Qualification requirements and work experience requirements for the position of a school inspector are defined by the Act on public administration in education (SK). The job vacancies are published by the State School Inspection on its website.
In addition to its internal training, the State School Inspection provides professional development of inspectors by participating in activities of the Standing International Conference of Inspectorates SICI, working on projects with the neighbouring countries (e.g. Czech School Inspection), and implementing projects from the European social fund which focus on external evaluation of the quality of schools and support of schools’ self-evaluation processes.
Schools inspectors can invite practicing experts to consider technical issues in the pursuit of school inspection, counselling, and writing an expert opinion report. Practicing experts must meet the following requirements:
- professional and pedagogical competence,
- pedagogical work experience of at least 5 years,
- personal qualities required for professional work.
Practicing experts are selected mostly from experienced pedagogical employees, employees of guidance facilities, and other specialists.
Practicing experts are assigned into inspection groups upon getting acquainted with the inspection matter in the respective type of school or school facility.
Conditions of service
According to the Act on civil service the school inspectors are civil servants. The civil servant gets the salary, under conditions set by law, which is a functional salary (composed of the so-called tariff salary, which is added various extra pays, compensations and back paymant).
As defined by law, all schools must create a report on education and training activity, its result and conditions. After it has been discussed in the pedagogical board, the headteacher submits the report to the founder by 31. October of the respective calendar year.
Legislative references
National Council of the Slovak Republic, 2008. Act No. 245/2008 on education and training (Education Act) and on the change and supplement to some acts as amended by subsequent provisions (Zákon č. 245/2008 Z.z. o výchove a vzdelávaní (školský zákon) a o zmene a doplnení niektorých zákonov v znení neskorších predpisov) (last accessed 23/10/2020).
National Council of the Slovak Republic, 2017. Act No. 55/2017 Coll. on Civil Service and on Amendment and Supplementation of Certain Laws (Zákon č. 55/2017 Z.z. o štátnej službe a o zmene a doplnení niektorých zákonov) (last accessed 23/10/2020).
National Council of the Slovak Republic, 2003. Act No. 596/2003 on state administration in education and school self-government and on change and supplements of some acts as amended by subsequent provisions (Zákon č. 596/2003 Z.z. o štátnej správe v školstve a školskej samospráve a o zmene a doplnení niektorých zákonov v znení neskorších predpisov) (last accessed 23/10/2020).
Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic, 2005. Decree No. 137/2005 on school inspection (Vyhláška č. 137/2005 o školskej inšpekcii) (last accessed 23/10/2020).