Education in Slovakia
Encyclopedia
Education in Slovakia
consists of a free education system based on 10 years of compulsory school attendance.
Slovakia has 10 years of compulsory education
.
Students go to school five days a week, from Monday until Friday. Saturdays as school days were canceled before the 1980s. Summer break is from the 1st of July until the end of August (at universities also in June), a week around Christmas
and Easter
, in spring, and on official holidays.
A school year consists of two semesters. The first one ends at the end of January in all schools, the second one before the beginning of the summer holidays (see above). Primary and secondary school students usually have around 6 classes a day (less at the beginning of the education, more later). Classes last for 45 minutes, and there (several short ones and one longer one – the so-called "big break" (or by the students often just "big one")). The state financed education and all textbooks and instructional material below the university level are free (returned at the end of the semester) – in most cases at least. However, there are also private schools which are paid.
Students at standard schools receive marks in almost all subjects. The marks go from 1 (best) to 5 (worst), and may include unofficial intermediary marks such as to assess a single project, test, etc. but never on student's final reports). Compared to western European countries, there is an intrinsic "tradition" of teachers granting students rather more marks at the "good" end of the scale, i.e. more 1s, 2s and 3s than they would receive in western Europe, for example. Students below the university level receive school reports (lists of final marks) at the end of each semester.
All state-run educational institutions have suffered from a lack of funding since the fall of communism
, i.e. from the early 1990s onward. School fees for university-level schools have been prepared for years, but the parliament has been unable to pass legislation requiring them due to strong citizen opposition. Many state-financed schools of higher education finance themselves by means of various semi-legal "extraordinary" and "auxiliary" fees, etc. Corruption is a widespread problem in academic circles (i.e. paying for term exams, entrance tests, etc.).
Despite the current lack of money, primary and secondary education is at a quite high level compared to many countries of the world. A major deficiency is insufficient promotion of independent thinking and student initiative, a complete absence of creative learning, unreformed and outdated teaching material, methods and syllabi inherited from the former communist educational system, and relatively low remuneration of teachers, leading to a decrease of the number of qualified (and of well qualified) teachers especially below the university level (see the statistics section for some pay figures). University-level schools, unable to provide sufficient pay to get real experts and motivated teachers, are rather mediocre compared to other countries, usually promote pure swotting and use outdated texts and other material. Some reforms of all educational levels, including the introduction of school fees for universities, are said to be in preparation and could be carried out after the next paliamentary elections (to be held 2005). Nonetheless, Slovakia has thus far managed to avoid the excessive brain-drain that has plagued most post-Soviet
states.
and List of colleges and universities in Slovakia
s where children can spend up to 4 years, which in turn can be preceded by day nurseries
.
As a rule, children start the primary school in the year in which they have their 6th birthday. Standard primary schools last 9 years (8 years before approx. the mid-1990s), however since the early 1990s students can visit "8-year gymnasium" after 5 years (after 4 years prior to school year 2009/2010) on primary school (high school lasting 8 years and "extended" by the last grades of primary schools).
The primary education system is formally divided in two "stages". The second stage is characterized by many changes in the subjects treated as compared to the first stage:
Many primary schools have been closed down since about 2000 due to an unfavourable demographic development.
Subjects at the second primary education stage (many of them are taught even earlier however) include:
There also many facultative "primary art schools"- afternoon schools for particular music instruments, theatre, painting etc. These have had a long tradition in Slovakia and are attended by a large majority of pupils.
As a rule, secondary schools last for 4 years (from the age of 16 to the age of 19). A "gymnasium" can also last for 8 years (up to the age of 18) depending on how many years did the student spend in the primary school (see primary education).
There are four types of secondary schools:
The gymnasia (high schools) are usually considered "prestigious" schools, because they explicitly prepare for higher education and because they are often highly selective - only the brightest students from elementary schools advance to them. In fact, most students who attend them later continue their education at a school of higher education in Slovakia or abroad. The high schools that are the most competitive ones are usually located either in Bratislava
(Gymnázium Alexandra Markuša Červenej armády (GAMČA), Gymnázium Metodova, Gymnázium Jura Hronca (GJH), etc.), in Košice
(Gymnázium Poštová etc.) or in other main cities. These schools annually accept only a very low percentage of applicants. Despite providing general education, many gymnasia have specialized classes . Some of them specialize in languages or are even "bilingual" Slovak-German/English/French etc. (e.g. Gymnázium Metodova, Gymnázium Bilíkova), others are specialized in mathematics
or programming, for example Gamča and GJH. Gamča is notable for being founded in 1628.
After finishing secondary school students usually take a school-leaving exam (matura
in German, "maturita" in Slovak), which is a basic prerequisite for visiting a school of higher education (college), especially a university. Before 1990 this included obligatory exams in mathematics (written nationwide standardized + oral), Slovak incl. literature (written nationwide standardized + oral) and Russian and in one subject of the students's choice. After 1990, the system was changed, so that every school prepared its own tests and questions – at gymnasia in the subjects: Slovak incl. literature (written and oral), a foreign language (written and oral), two subjects of the student's choice (oral). The obvious problem of this system was low or missing comparability of the results. The maturita system was modified in 2005 again. The new system is supposed to replace the current entrance examinations to schools of higher education (colleges) in the future. The main changes are: one additional exam subject (for gymnasia), nationwide unified written tests for languages and mathematics (other subjects are supposed to follow in the future), a high degree of standardization of other exams, as well as the possibility for the student to choose whether they want to pass an A-level exam (the most complicated one), a B-level exam or a C-level exam (the simplest one, only for languages). At gymnasia, the exam subjects include: Slovak incl. literature (written and oral), a foreign language (written and oral), a natural science subject, and two other subjects of the student's choice [Details in Slovak: http://www.minedu.sk/VZPP/VYHLASKY/2004_510.pdf ]
), which for lack of other expressions is also translated into English as "college", can refer to all schools of higher (i.e. tertiary) education, or in a narrower sense only to those schools of higher education that are not universities.
The first university on the territory of Slovakia was the Universitas Istropolitana (=Academia Istropolitana
) founded in 1465. The main and largest current university in Slovakia is the Comenius University. For other current universities and colleges see List of colleges and universities in Slovakia.
The 2002 Act on Schools of Higher Education dinstinguishes public, state, and private schools of higher education (colleges):
Studies at the state and public universities is available free of charge for residents of Slovakia (?)and of the EU. School fees are being planned, however. Other students have to pay from USD 2,500 to USD 6,500 for one academic year.
Before entering any school of higher education for which there are more applicants than places offered, the applicants have to pass entrance examinations. These examinations take very different forms at particular schools. The "maturita" results of the applicant are usually also taken into account when evaluating whether he can become student of the school. Since the number of branches of study and of schools of higher education increased considerably in the course of the late 18th century (although at the cost of quality of the studies), the general percentage of those not being accepted to these schools decreased considerably over the same time period. Also, an increasing number of Slovaks studies abroad, especially in the Czech Republic
due to a low language barrier, a slightly better economic situation (and job perspectives) in that country, as well as similarities of the two educational systems. As a result, the percentage of Slovaks with higher education has increased considerably over the last decade.
The studies are organized within the following study programmes and "stages" (also translated as levels). Each school must provide at least Stage 1:
The Act on Schools of Higher Education 2002 dinstinguishes:
The academic year begins on 1 September of the current year and ends on 31 August of the next year (in reality, however it ends in May/June). The studies in one academic year may be divided into two semesters or rarely in three trimesters. The teaching process includes various forms of instruction such as lectures, seminars, exercises, laboratory work, projects, practical training, consultations, etc.. The credit system following the rules of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) has been introduced in 1998 for the organisation of all levels and forms of higher education study. The student's standard load is expressed by the number of sixty credits per academic year and thirty credits per semester. The school of higher education determines the total number of credits required for due completion of the study in its respective stagess.
Financing problems of schools of higher education are described in the introduction.
Teachers 2004/2005:
Average monthly teachers' pay in 2004:
Number of schools:
Number of graduates from tertiary schools (including postgradual "doctor" degree):
Language of all schools as of 2004 (incl. kindergartens):
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
consists of a free education system based on 10 years of compulsory school attendance.
General characteristics
Most schools, especially universities, are owned by the state, though since the 1990s there are also church-owned and private schools (see Statistics section).Slovakia has 10 years of compulsory education
Compulsory education
Compulsory education refers to a period of education that is required of all persons.-Antiquity to Medieval Era:Although Plato's The Republic is credited with having popularized the concept of compulsory education in Western intellectual thought, every parent in Judea since Moses's Covenant with...
.
Students go to school five days a week, from Monday until Friday. Saturdays as school days were canceled before the 1980s. Summer break is from the 1st of July until the end of August (at universities also in June), a week around Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
and Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
, in spring, and on official holidays.
A school year consists of two semesters. The first one ends at the end of January in all schools, the second one before the beginning of the summer holidays (see above). Primary and secondary school students usually have around 6 classes a day (less at the beginning of the education, more later). Classes last for 45 minutes, and there (several short ones and one longer one – the so-called "big break" (or by the students often just "big one")). The state financed education and all textbooks and instructional material below the university level are free (returned at the end of the semester) – in most cases at least. However, there are also private schools which are paid.
Students at standard schools receive marks in almost all subjects. The marks go from 1 (best) to 5 (worst), and may include unofficial intermediary marks such as to assess a single project, test, etc. but never on student's final reports). Compared to western European countries, there is an intrinsic "tradition" of teachers granting students rather more marks at the "good" end of the scale, i.e. more 1s, 2s and 3s than they would receive in western Europe, for example. Students below the university level receive school reports (lists of final marks) at the end of each semester.
All state-run educational institutions have suffered from a lack of funding since the fall of communism
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
, i.e. from the early 1990s onward. School fees for university-level schools have been prepared for years, but the parliament has been unable to pass legislation requiring them due to strong citizen opposition. Many state-financed schools of higher education finance themselves by means of various semi-legal "extraordinary" and "auxiliary" fees, etc. Corruption is a widespread problem in academic circles (i.e. paying for term exams, entrance tests, etc.).
Despite the current lack of money, primary and secondary education is at a quite high level compared to many countries of the world. A major deficiency is insufficient promotion of independent thinking and student initiative, a complete absence of creative learning, unreformed and outdated teaching material, methods and syllabi inherited from the former communist educational system, and relatively low remuneration of teachers, leading to a decrease of the number of qualified (and of well qualified) teachers especially below the university level (see the statistics section for some pay figures). University-level schools, unable to provide sufficient pay to get real experts and motivated teachers, are rather mediocre compared to other countries, usually promote pure swotting and use outdated texts and other material. Some reforms of all educational levels, including the introduction of school fees for universities, are said to be in preparation and could be carried out after the next paliamentary elections (to be held 2005). Nonetheless, Slovakia has thus far managed to avoid the excessive brain-drain that has plagued most post-Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
states.
History
See: Education in CzechoslovakiaEducation in Czechoslovakia
-Before the Communist Era:Czechoslovakia had a tradition of academic and scholarly endeavor in the mainstream of European thought and a history of higher education dating from the Middle Ages...
and List of colleges and universities in Slovakia
Primary education
Primary schools are usually preceded by kindergartenKindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
s where children can spend up to 4 years, which in turn can be preceded by day nurseries
Nursery school
A nursery school is a school for children between the ages of one and five years, staffed by suitably qualified and other professionals who encourage and supervise educational play rather than simply providing childcare...
.
As a rule, children start the primary school in the year in which they have their 6th birthday. Standard primary schools last 9 years (8 years before approx. the mid-1990s), however since the early 1990s students can visit "8-year gymnasium" after 5 years (after 4 years prior to school year 2009/2010) on primary school (high school lasting 8 years and "extended" by the last grades of primary schools).
The primary education system is formally divided in two "stages". The second stage is characterized by many changes in the subjects treated as compared to the first stage:
- first primary education stage- age 6 to 10, works as platform for next studies
- second primary education stage- age 10 to 15, this "stage" can be spent either in a 9 year primary school or in an 8 year gymnasium
Many primary schools have been closed down since about 2000 due to an unfavourable demographic development.
Subjects at the second primary education stage (many of them are taught even earlier however) include:
- Slovak language and literature (includes Slovak and world literature and Slovak grammar; Slovak is to be replaced with Hungarian or Ukrainian in minority schools; usually everyday one class),
- foreign language(s) (usually two or one, usually English and German or Spanish; before 1990 Russian was compulsory with 4 classes a week)
- mathematics (incl. geometry almost everyday one class),
- geography (political and physical alike, usually 2 classes a week),
- biology (incl. botany, animal biology, human biology, geology and environmental studies; usually 2 classes a week),
- chemistry (usually 2 classes a week),
- physics (usually 2 classes a week),
- history (usually 2 classes a week),
- religion or ethics (class is subject to a choice, usually 1 class a week),
- PE (usually 2 classes a week),
- music (usually 1 class a week; sometimes skipped altogether due to lack of equipment, funds, teachers),
- drawing (usually 1 class a week, sometimes skipped altogether due to lack of equipment, funds, teachers),
- technical education (usually 1 class a week, sometimes skipped altogether due to lack of equipment, funds, teachers)
There also many facultative "primary art schools"- afternoon schools for particular music instruments, theatre, painting etc. These have had a long tradition in Slovakia and are attended by a large majority of pupils.
Secondary education
Before entering any school of secondary education (including 8-year gymnasium) for which there are more applicants than places offered, the applicants have to pass entrance examinations.As a rule, secondary schools last for 4 years (from the age of 16 to the age of 19). A "gymnasium" can also last for 8 years (up to the age of 18) depending on how many years did the student spend in the primary school (see primary education).
There are four types of secondary schools:
- general education (non-vocational):
- gymnázium (i.e. gymnasiumGymnasium (school)A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
, also translated as grammar schoolGrammar schoolA grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
or high schoolHigh schoolHigh school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
) – 4 or 8 years (rarely other lengths), i.e. age 16 to 19 or age 10 to 18; prepares students for higher education; teaches at least 2 foreign languages
- gymnázium (i.e. gymnasium
- various vocational schools (visited by students interested in arts, crafts or a special company):
- stredná odborná škola(secondary professional school) – usually age 16 to 19; usually also prepares for higher education
- stredné odborné učilište (secondary vocational school) – usually age 16 to 19; training center
- združená stredná škola ('grouped' secondary school) – usually age 16 to 19; rare
The gymnasia (high schools) are usually considered "prestigious" schools, because they explicitly prepare for higher education and because they are often highly selective - only the brightest students from elementary schools advance to them. In fact, most students who attend them later continue their education at a school of higher education in Slovakia or abroad. The high schools that are the most competitive ones are usually located either in Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
(Gymnázium Alexandra Markuša Červenej armády (GAMČA), Gymnázium Metodova, Gymnázium Jura Hronca (GJH), etc.), in Košice
Košice
Košice is a city in eastern Slovakia. It is situated on the river Hornád at the eastern reaches of the Slovak Ore Mountains, near the border with Hungary...
(Gymnázium Poštová etc.) or in other main cities. These schools annually accept only a very low percentage of applicants. Despite providing general education, many gymnasia have specialized classes . Some of them specialize in languages or are even "bilingual" Slovak-German/English/French etc. (e.g. Gymnázium Metodova, Gymnázium Bilíkova), others are specialized in mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
or programming, for example Gamča and GJH. Gamča is notable for being founded in 1628.
After finishing secondary school students usually take a school-leaving exam (matura
Matura
Matura or a similar term is the common name for the high-school leaving exam or "maturity exam" in various countries, including Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Serbia,...
in German, "maturita" in Slovak), which is a basic prerequisite for visiting a school of higher education (college), especially a university. Before 1990 this included obligatory exams in mathematics (written nationwide standardized + oral), Slovak incl. literature (written nationwide standardized + oral) and Russian and in one subject of the students's choice. After 1990, the system was changed, so that every school prepared its own tests and questions – at gymnasia in the subjects: Slovak incl. literature (written and oral), a foreign language (written and oral), two subjects of the student's choice (oral). The obvious problem of this system was low or missing comparability of the results. The maturita system was modified in 2005 again. The new system is supposed to replace the current entrance examinations to schools of higher education (colleges) in the future. The main changes are: one additional exam subject (for gymnasia), nationwide unified written tests for languages and mathematics (other subjects are supposed to follow in the future), a high degree of standardization of other exams, as well as the possibility for the student to choose whether they want to pass an A-level exam (the most complicated one), a B-level exam or a C-level exam (the simplest one, only for languages). At gymnasia, the exam subjects include: Slovak incl. literature (written and oral), a foreign language (written and oral), a natural science subject, and two other subjects of the student's choice [Details in Slovak: http://www.minedu.sk/VZPP/VYHLASKY/2004_510.pdf ]
Higher education
The Slovak term "vysoká škola" ("school of higher education", literally "high school", compare the German name HochschuleHochschule
Hochschule is a German term with two meanings.The literal meaning of the word Hochschule is “high school” which is not appropriate as a translation.- Generic term :...
), which for lack of other expressions is also translated into English as "college", can refer to all schools of higher (i.e. tertiary) education, or in a narrower sense only to those schools of higher education that are not universities.
The first university on the territory of Slovakia was the Universitas Istropolitana (=Academia Istropolitana
Academia Istropolitana
The Universitas Istropolitana in Bratislava was arguably the third university to be found in the Kingdom of Hungary and the first university to be founded in the territory of present-day Slovakia...
) founded in 1465. The main and largest current university in Slovakia is the Comenius University. For other current universities and colleges see List of colleges and universities in Slovakia.
The 2002 Act on Schools of Higher Education dinstinguishes public, state, and private schools of higher education (colleges):
- Public schools of higher education are the basic case. They are established by law. The vast majority of schools of higher education is of this type. They are financed by the government and possible business activities.
- State institutions of higher education are all military, police and medical schools. They are established through the corresponding ministries of the government. They are financed by the government and possible business activities.
- Private Spice institutions of higher education are established and financed by non-government institutions, but approved by the Ministry of Education. This type of school is still quite rare.
Studies at the state and public universities is available free of charge for residents of Slovakia (?)and of the EU. School fees are being planned, however. Other students have to pay from USD 2,500 to USD 6,500 for one academic year.
Before entering any school of higher education for which there are more applicants than places offered, the applicants have to pass entrance examinations. These examinations take very different forms at particular schools. The "maturita" results of the applicant are usually also taken into account when evaluating whether he can become student of the school. Since the number of branches of study and of schools of higher education increased considerably in the course of the late 18th century (although at the cost of quality of the studies), the general percentage of those not being accepted to these schools decreased considerably over the same time period. Also, an increasing number of Slovaks studies abroad, especially in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
due to a low language barrier, a slightly better economic situation (and job perspectives) in that country, as well as similarities of the two educational systems. As a result, the percentage of Slovaks with higher education has increased considerably over the last decade.
The studies are organized within the following study programmes and "stages" (also translated as levels). Each school must provide at least Stage 1:
- Stage 1: BachelorBachelorA bachelor is a man above the age of majority who has never been married . Unlike his female counterpart, the spinster, a bachelor may have had children...
study programme; 3–4 years; title: "Bachelor" (bakalár, abbr. "Bc.") - Stage 2, or Stage 1 + Stage 2 (Stage 2 lasts 1–3 years):
- Master'sMaster's degreeA master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
study programme; title: "Master" (magister, abbr. "Mgr.") [in art studies: Master of Arts (magister umenia, abbr. "Mgr. art.")]; additional titles after passing a doctoral viva voceViva voceViva voce is a Latin phrase literally meaning "with living voice," but most often translated as "by word of mouth."It may also refer to:*Italian for "live voice."*Voice vote in a deliberative assembly...
are:- a) in natural science "Doctor of Natural Sciences" (doktor prírodných vied, abbr. "RNDr."),
- b) in pharmacy "Doctor of Pharmacy" (doktor farmácie, abbr. "PharmDr."),
- c) in social sciences and art sciences "Doctor of Philosophy" (doktor filozofie, abbr. "PhDr."),
- d) in law studies "Doctor of Laws" (doktor práv, abbr. "JUDr."),
- e) in teaching and PE studies "Doctor of Pedagogy" (doktor pedagogiky, abbr. "PaedDr."),
- f) in theology (except for Catholic theology) "Doctor of Theology" (doktor teológie, abbr. "ThDr.").
- EngineerEngineerAn engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
study programme; title: "Engineer" (inžinier, abbr. "Ing.") [in architecture "Engineer of Architecture" (inžinier architekt, abbr. "Ing. arch.")] - DoctorDoctorateA doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
study programme ; titles:- a) in human medicine: "Doctor of Medicine" (doktor medicíny, abbr. "MUDr.")
- b) in veterinary medicine: "Doctor of Veterinary Medicine" (doktor veterinárnej medicíny, abbr. "MVDr.")
- c) in dental medicine: "Doctor of Denatal Medicine" (doktor zubného lekárstva, abbr. "MDDr."), studying since 2010
- Master's
- Stage 3:
- Doctorand study programme; 3–4 years; titles (placed behind the name):
- a) basic title "Philosophiae Doctor" (doktor, abbr. "PhD.")
- b) in art studies "Doctor Artis" (doktor umenia, abbr. "ArtD.")
- c) in Catholic theology "Licentiate of Theology" (licenciát teológie, abbr."ThLic.") or "Doctor of Theology" (doktor teológie, abbr. "ThDr.")
- specialisation studies in medicine
- Doctorand study programme; 3–4 years; titles (placed behind the name):
The Act on Schools of Higher Education 2002 dinstinguishes:
- university-type schools of higher education: They provide study programmes at all three stages and with a considerable proportion of the 2nd and 3rd stage. Only these schools are allowed to use the word "university" in their name.
- non-university-type schools of higher education = professional schools of higher education: These are the remaining schools (providing predominantly the first stage only)
The academic year begins on 1 September of the current year and ends on 31 August of the next year (in reality, however it ends in May/June). The studies in one academic year may be divided into two semesters or rarely in three trimesters. The teaching process includes various forms of instruction such as lectures, seminars, exercises, laboratory work, projects, practical training, consultations, etc.. The credit system following the rules of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) has been introduced in 1998 for the organisation of all levels and forms of higher education study. The student's standard load is expressed by the number of sixty credits per academic year and thirty credits per semester. The school of higher education determines the total number of credits required for due completion of the study in its respective stagess.
Financing problems of schools of higher education are described in the introduction.
Schools and students (school year 2004/2005)
Unless stated otherwise, the numbers give daily studies (i.e. non-external studies). The first number gives the number of schools, the number in brackets the number of students.A) Kindergartens and primary education (excl. special schools)
- Kindergartens (materské školy) : 3000 (147317) state, 16 (598) private, 30 (1317) church
- Primary schools (základné školy): 2217 (530 770) state, 16 (1159) private, 109 (25392) church
- Primary art schools (základné umelecké školy): 180 (92146), 34 (7934) private, 7 (2239) church
B) Secondary education (excl. special schools)
Note: Strictly speaking, this section also includes professional schools and vocational schools that are post-secondary education."- Gymnasia/grammar schools/high schools (gymnáziá): 161 (84984) state, 22 (3362) private, 51 (14392) church, - (1634) external st. at these schools; out of which:
- 8-years gymnasium: - (32902) state, - (7531) private , - (1731) church,
- 4-years gymnasium: - (48285) state, - (6693) private, - (1594) church , - (1634) external
- 5-years gymnasium (usually bilingual):- (424) state, - (168) private, - (37) church
- 6-years gymnasium: - (373) state
- Secondary professional schools + professional schools (stredné odborné školy + odborné školy):
- "public": 191 (74258) state, 35 (3974) private, 6 (1223) church, - (1178) external st. at these schools, 4 (2778) external schools; comprise:
- in terms of school type: 81 industrial, 98 economic, 20 agricultural, 3 forestry, 1 librarian, 11 pedagogical, 10 conservatories, and 12 girls's professional schools; out of which:
- in terms of the type of studies:
- 8-years schools: rare, conservatories only
- "superstructure" studies (nadstavbové štúdium): rare, 1–3 years, agricultural and pedagogical
- 4-years school with a maturita: the rule
- 5-years school with a maturita: rare
- "higher" studies (vyššie štúdium): 3 years /conservatories 6 years
- "post-maturita" studies (pomaturitné štúdium): 1–3 years
- 1-3-years school without a maturita: rare, one pedagogical school only
- professional schools of the Ministry of Health: 22 (6637) state, 8 (1441) church, - (2693) external st. at these schools
- professional schools of other ministries: 3 (1014) state, 1 (715) external school
- "public": 191 (74258) state, 35 (3974) private, 6 (1223) church, - (1178) external st. at these schools, 4 (2778) external schools; comprise:
- "Grouped" secondary schools (združené stredné školy): 105 (62772) state, 3 (1310) private, 1 (656) church, - (1248) external st. at these schools; comprise:
- "superstructure" studies (nadstavbové štúdium): 2 years
- 4-years school with a maturita
- 5-years school with a maturita
- "higher" studies (vyššie štúdium): 3 years
- "post-maturita" studies (pomaturitné štúdium): 1–3 years
- 1-3-years school without a maturita
- specially adapted curricula (zvlášť upravené učebné plány, ZUUP): 1–3 years
- gradual preparation (stupňovitá príprava): 1–3 years
- Secondary vocational schools + vocational schools (stredné odborné učilištia + učilištia):202 (63886), 26 (8433), 5 (1206), - (3848) external st. at these schools; comprise:
- "superstructure" studies (nadstavbové štúdium): 2 years
- 4-years school with a maturita
- 5-years school with a maturita
- 2-3-years school without a maturita
- specially adapted curricula (zvlášť upravené učebné plány, ZUUP): 56-98 decades
- gradual preparation (stupňovitá príprava): 1–3 years
C) Special schools (špeciálne školy)
- (incl. special kindergartens, primary schools, gymnasia etc.): 418 (32210) state, 5 (82) church, 12 (490) private
D) Schools of higher/tertiary education (vysoké školy)
- "public" and "private" schools of tertiary education: 20 (106194) state, 4 (828) private, - (53018) external st. at these schools
- "state" schools of tertiary education: 3 (1280) schools of the ministries (Health, Police, Defence), - (1755) external st. at these schools
Other statistics
Graduates (tertiary education: calendar year 2004, otherwise: school year 2003/2004):- secondary education: 75988 non-external st., 3390 external st.
- tertiary education: 19742 non-external st., 10166 external st.
Teachers 2004/2005:
- kindergartens, primary and secondary education: 81403 internal, 6873 external
- tertiary education: 10604 internal, 1965 external
Average monthly teachers' pay in 2004:
- primary and secondary education: ca. 14750 SKK (ca. 380 EUR) [the number roughly equaled the general average pay in the Slovak economy at that time]
- tertiary education (excl. private schools): ca. 23500 SKK (ca. 600 EUR)
Number of schools:
- primary (excl. special):
- 1989:2302
- 1999:2471
- 2004:2342
- secondary (excl. special):
- 1989:620
- 1999:949
- 2004:841
- tertiary:
- until 1991:13
- 1992-1996:14
- 1997-1999:18
- 2000-2002:23
- 2003:25
- 2004:27
Number of graduates from tertiary schools (including postgradual "doctor" degree):
- 1989:10415
- 1993:11090
- 1997:15048
- 2001:24120
- 2002:25630
- 2003:28272
- 2004:30762
Language of all schools as of 2004 (incl. kindergartens):
- Slovak: 5840 (including 19 "bilingual"[e.g. Slovak-English/Spanish/German etc.] gymnasia)
- Hungarian:585 + 1 university
- Slovak and Hungarian:194
- Ukrainian: 34
- Slovak and Ukrainian: 6
- other:5