2022

Modernisation of adult education

In March 2022, the National Assembly adopted the new Resolution on the National Programme of Adult Education in the Republic of Slovenia 2021–2030. It articulates the vision of all adult citizens of Slovenia in all lifecycles having the same opportunities and incentives for quality learning and education for full development and sustainable living. It includes formal education and non-formal education and learning of adults, support activities, development and research activities for all with completed basic school obligation and/or of at least 15 years of age. In terms of officially recognised educational qualification, the instrument addressed the adult education in basic school education programme for adults, upper secondary professional, gimnazija and short-cycle higher vocational education.

Objectives of the resolution are: increasing the inclusion of adults in lifelong learning; improving the level of basic skills and common education of adults, raising the level of educational qualification, improving the skills of citizens for a successful responding to the needs of the labour market, facilitating the development and research in adult education, as well as improving and strengthening the activity in adult education.

Other policy developments

In March 2022, the minister responsible for education adopted the Rules on teacher education student grants. It specifies the procedure, requirements and criteria for grants available to students in study programmes that lead to the qualification specified by law and other rules as required for education staff. The objectives behind awarding grants according to the rules are set in the response to the long-term priority and employment needs of educational institutions. Grants should spark young people to study for professions in education, as well as for boosting the prestige of the those professions.

In February 2022, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Decree on co-funding practical lessons in agriculture and to qualify institutes and development centres in agriculture. The aim was to make provisions for improvement in equipment of educational institutions and research institutions in agriculture, forestry, veterinary and food science. This was agreed following an appeal to boost research and development and innovation in agriculture, economy and country. The Decree specified the co-funding material cost and cost of practical lessons in upper secondary schools, higher vocational colleges and faculties, as well as co-funding investment in provisions for institutes and development centres in agriculture, forestry, veterinary and food industry. The eligible costs for non-refundable funds: acquisition of devices, apparatus, machines, accessories and equipment to be used by beneficiaries for practical lessons and/or education in programmes of public education or development in fields listed in the public call for applications by the ministry of agriculture, forestry and food.

Response to the COVID-19 pandemic

In March 2022, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Ordinance on the temporary measures for the prevention and control of infectious disease COVID-19. It waived the condition for wearing facial coverings for basic school, upper secondary, higher education students and staff for the duration of implementing the education programme. The condition still applies for participants in practical lessons and work-based clinical training.

In February 2022, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the new Ordinance on the temporary measures for the prevention and control of infectious disease COVID-19. It waived the condition of recovered/vaccinated/tested proof in education, as well as doing self-tests in schools for both staff and students.

In January 2022, the minister responsible for education adopted Decision on winter term examination board composition 2021/2022 school year. It specified an amendment to the oral exam board in upper secondary schools in the 2021/2022 school year. The school exam board can now not include additional member alongside the president and examiner. The examiner can in exceptional circumstances and because of quarantine or self-isolation participate in examination board online not necessarily face-to-face.  

2021

Modernisation of vocational and technical education

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.

Modernisation of adult education

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.

Other policy developments

In December 2021, the ministry responsible for education consulsted the public on the Rules on additional professional and physical assistance for children with special needs. It established the right to an interpreter in Slovenian sign language for deaf and deafblind learners if it is so indicated in their the placement order.

In December 2021, the National Assembly adopted the Act amending the Organisation and Financing of Education Act. The amendment related to the objectives in education, personal data processing for setting up and operations of the secured national information system for managing schools and school documentation of learners, as well as the composition of councils of schools and kindergartens.

The law laid additional objectives: education with an emphasis on the Slovenian culture and European values, fostering curiosity, inquisitive spirit, imagination and intuitions, as well as developing independent thinking. It set up a single national information system of the highest standard of data protection and defined among other: enrolment in kindergarten, basic school and upper secondary school, central civil register, mark book, daybook, school’s annual work plan, national school calendar, agreement on school meals, decision, notifications, and school certificates.

The councils of kindergarten and school would now include three representatives of a founder, three representatives of staff (five before) and three representatives of parents; in upper secondary school, two representatives of parents (three before) and on representative of students (two before).

In November 2021, the minister adopted:

• Rules amending the Rules on norms and standards for the implementation of educational programmes in secondary education
• Rules amending the Rules on norms and standards in secondary schools employing Italian as a language of instruction
• Rules amending the Rules on norms and standards in bilingual secondary schools
• Rules amending the Rules on methods for funding upper secondary education programmes

The amendments were made as follow-up to specifying greater scope of activities and greater complexity of pursuing activities with upper secondary students in individual job posts in schools. Furthermore, harmonisation of normative responsibilities and duties of leading posts with norms that apply to basic schools was required, as well as amendments in upper secondary education programmes related to the inclusion of the “aktivno državljanstvo” (active citizenship). Teachers of active citizenship could have their teaching load decreased proportionally. Schools and residence halls for students can now accelerate activities in this field because of lowering the norm that apply to staffing structure for counsellors, librarians. The norm for organisers of practical lessons with work has been lowered, as well. This applied, in particular, to schools that provide programmes with apprenticeship training. By example of the norm for basic schools, a new job post for cooks and/or dietary cooks in residence halls for upper secondary students has been introduced, namely the need for preparing meals according to the medically indicated diets (allergies, hypersensitivity to food, metabolism disorders, and other chronic illnesses) has become ever-present. The amendments to the rules introduced to schools and residence halls reinforcements in accounting, administrative, maintenance, technical and housekeeping staff.

In October 2021, the minister responsible for education adopted the Action plan to work out the proposal for the installation of the Slovenian sign language in the system of preschool education, basic school education and upper secondary education in the period 2021–2024. It was developed by the working group consisted of representatives of professional community (institutes that provide education programmes adapted to deaf and hard of hearing learners, higher education institution), interest groups, National education institute, and ministry responsible for education. The aim was to address the individual aspects of education of deaf and hard of hearing learners comprehensively: the contents of the education programmes as well as mechanisms necessary to support the provision. The action plan included four sets of activities:

1. Analysis of the situation and mechanisms of on-going monitoring
2. Duties and responsibilities related to education programmes for deaf and hard of hearing learners
3. Promotion of learning and teaching of Slovenian sign language
4. Planning, coordinating and monitoring of activities.

Under each individual set, it specified the objectives and expected outcomes, as well as type of foreseen activities including indicators, operators, dates or timeframe and funds. Operators started the activities in 2021 and 2022. There has been a study ongoing on evaluation of the current model of education for deaf learners. The capturing of data on deaf and hard of hearing basic school and upper secondary students has been improved; the existing and new programmes of training for education staff have been carried out. For more information read the report by the working group.

In October 2021, the National Assembly adopted the Act amending the Organisation and financing of education Act. The amendments related to operations and status of school funds. School funds could now be allocated for participation of children, basic school and upper secondary students from socially less advantaged backgrounds in activities relevant to the provision of an officially recognised programme. These activities could not be covered in full with public funds if this would stand for equal opportunities. The beneficiary for up to 0.3 % of donations by individual residents (part dedicated under annual personal income tax) could be the school fund and/or kindergarten fund.

In September 2021, the ministry responsible for education consulted the public on the draft Rules on public call and first enrolment in part-time education in officially recognised upper secondary education. It specified the consent to the scope of enrolment call, call/register/enrolment procedure.

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 general matura committee, national general matura mathematics committee and representatives of the association Društvo Bravo reached an agreement on the use of a simple calculator in taking a written exam in mathematics – examination sheet 1 in general matura. Such aids are otherwise not allowed according to the General matura mathematics examination catalogue 2021.
• Rules amending the Rules on the organisation and reimbursement of transportation costs for children and young people with special needs (sl). In the past, head teachers of upper secondary schools had difficulties finding the transporter with an adapted vehicle suitable for the transportation of students with moderate to severe physical disability. The physical disability of certain students is such that students can move from a wheelchair into a vehicle on their own despite their disability, in domestic or organised transport and vice versa. If parents can drive a student in this way, also otherwise, than there is no need to a different arrangement in school.

In July 2021, the Ministry responsible for education consulted the public on the following draft new rules with relevant preambles to amendments:

• Rules on norms and standards of implanting education programmes and the education programme for students with emotional and behavioural disorders in upper secondary education (sl)
• Rules on norms and standards in upper secondary schools with Italian medium of instruction (sl)
• Rules on norms and standards in the bilingual upper secondary school (sl), and
• Rules amending the Rules on methods for funding upper secondary education programmes (sl).

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:

• Rules on norms of implementing education programmes and education programme for students with emotional and behavioural disorders in upper secondary education (sl),
• Rules amending the Rules on norms and standards in upper secondary schools with Italian medium of instruction (sl), and
• Rules amending the Rules on norms and standards in the bilingual upper secondary school (sl).

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.

Response to the COVID-19 pandemic

In December 2021, the National Assembly adopted the Act on Additional Measures to Stop Spreading and Mitigate, Control, Recover and Eliminate the Consequences of COVID-19. It specified that in case of the pandemic situation becoming worse, the decision to revert to distant learning for a specific time should be the decision of a head-teacher after consultation with the ministry responsible for education and the National institute of public health. An educational institution would have the opportunity to enter into agreement of employment for urgent work requirements and for a fixed term without the requirement to made a public announcement about the vacancy, until 31 August 2022.

In December 2021, the ministry responsible for education adopted the General and vocational Matura adjustment in the school year 2021/2022 Decision. It specified the amendment to the subject examination catalogues, implementation of matura in two consecutive terms, keeping record of e-mails of general matura candidates, insight in the examination documentation, appeal, justified reasons for an additional date for insight in general matura, return of examination documentation, nomination and composition of the school examination board, terms, development of test sheets for oral exams, organisation and notification of candidates for written exams, dates of oral exams and written exams, preparation of candidates for written exams, and implementation of oral exams.

In November 2021, the minister responsible for education adopted the Final examination adjustment in the school year 2021/2022 Decision. It specified the amendment related to the nomination and composition of the school exam board, implementation of the oral and written parts of the final exam in Slovenian (Italian or Hungarian), and amendment to the examination catalogue related to the product and/or service and defence.

In October 2021, the minister responsible for education adopted Decision on the emergency measures in personnel administration required for smooth operations of educational institutions. It specified that in the 2021/2022 school year, the educational institutions could sign on students of the second cycle study programme for teachers to take on duties and responsibilities in the school under supervision of a mentor and on temporary or occasional basis. This would count for work experience future teachers require to sign up for a professional examination.

In October 2021, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia the Ordinance amending the Ordinance on the method of meeting the condition of morbidity, vaccination and testing to curb the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus. The amendment specified among other that the frequency of screening should increase for all staff to every 48 hours. Additionally, the amendments introduced self-testing for all students of basic school, upper secondary schools and tertiary education, and also for participating in sports programmes, sports recreational activities and extracurricular activities.

In October 2021, the ministry responsible for education adopted the Decision on the vocational matura winter term adjustments in the school year 2021/2022. It specified the amendment to subject examination catalogues, common bonus in assessment, implementation of matura in one or two consecutive terms, nomination and composition of school examination board, development of test sheets for oral exams, distribution and notifying of candidates in written exams, setting up the examination rooms, preparation of candidates for written exams, responsibilities and duties of supervising teachers, oral examination course, and implementation of exam in the fourth subject of vocational matura

In September 2021, the ministry responsible for education adopted the Decision on the emergency measures in personnel administration required for smooth operations of educational institutions. The decision made provision for educational institutions for children and youth with special educational needs in the 2021/2022 school year to provide, if all possibilities to enter into employment agreement have been exploited, an interpreter of the Slovenian sign language for deaf and hard of hearing students who had been placed in programmes for children with special educational needs.

On 6 September 2021, the Ordinance on the approach to meeting the recovered-vaccinated-tested requirements to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 (sl) came into force. 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:

• Decision on upper secondary student obligations in work-based learning in the school year 2020/2021 (sl) It allowed for the adjustment in scope and manner of work-based learning for higher vocational college students who were not able to complete practical training due to the restrictions imposed to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the scope and manner as specified with the upper secondary educaiton programme. The underlying basis was protection of rights and legal benefits of students in vocational education. The adjustment is in the domain of the school head teacher.
• Decision on the assessment in vocational modules and final grade in apprenticeship in school year 2020/2021 (sl). It allowed for adjustment and/or room for decision-maing about adjustment for smooth assessment and awarding final grades in the school year 2020/2021.
• Decision on general and vocational matura adjustment in the school year 2020/2021 (sl) It specified adjustments to the subject examination catalogues, assessment, and implementation of matura in two consecutive exam terms, keeping records of electronic addresses of general matura candidates, access to examination documentation, complaint, return of examination documentation, nomination and membership of school examination committee, dates,  development of oral exam sheets, arranging and informing candidates of written exams, dates of oral exams and presentations, duties and responsibilities of the invigilating teachers, arrangement of the examination room, preparing candidates for the oral exam, oral exam execution, and execution of the exam in the fourth subject of the vocational matura.
• Decision amending the delivery of the final examination in the school year 2020/2021
•  (sl) It spedified the adjustments for nomination and membership of the school examination committee, written and oral part of the final examination in Slovenian language (Italian or Hungarian), as well as adjustment of the examination catalogue fort he final product or service or presentation.

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

• Decision on the rights and duties pertaining to the vocational matura winter term 2020/2021 (sl); it amends the subject exam catalogues, the delivery of matura in two consecutive terms, appointment and structure of the school examination committee, distribution of candidates and supervising teachers in the examination room, arrangement of the examination room, preparation of candidates for the written exam, duties and responsibilities of the supervising teacher, course of the oral exam, and delivery of the exam in the fourth subject in vocational matura, and
• Decision on the rights and duties pertaining to the final examination winter term in the school year 2020/2021 (sl); it amends the appointment and structure of the school examination committee, delivery of the written and oral part of the exam in Slovenian (Italian or Hungarian), and it amends the examination catalogue in reference to product and/or service and defence.

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.

2020

Modernisation of vocational and technical education

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.

Modernisation of adult education

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).

Other policy developments

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.

Response to the COVID-19 pandemic

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:

• common bonus for all general matura subjects, external parts of examination (written exams, stage performances); 10 % bonus for the failing scope of the external exam part, and
• selectiveness: extra selection options in Italian and Italian as the foreign or second language; selection options will be available in all exam terms of vocational matura in English.

In oral exams:

• decrease of 15 % in content of assessment
• decrease of 15 % in number of exam slips
• delivery similar to matura 2020, and
• practical parts of exams and oral defence will be pursued according to the developed and implemented amendment to the vocational matura 2020.

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: 

• Model A: all follow instruction in school
• Model B: all follow instruction in school, but recommendations to prevent infection apply
• Model C: some follow instruction in school, others do distance learning
• Model D: all do distance learning

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:

• Decision on the measures for continuing educational activities in basic schools in the school year 2019/2020 (.pdf, sl);
• Decision on the deadlines for exercising the rights and fulfilling obligations in upper secondary education for the school year 2019/2020 (.pdf, sl)

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.