Slovakia
Official name: Slovak Republic
Goverment: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Bratislava
Area: 49,035 km2
Population: 5,4 million
Population density: 110,1/km2
Official languages: Slovak
Currency: euro (since 1 January 2009)
Education system in Slovakia
Preschool education
In the Slovak Republic, preschool education is provided until the beginning of compulsory school attendance. Preschool establishments admit children between the age of 3 and 6 years. Exceptionally, it is possible to admit children from the age 2 of years. Preschool education in preschool establishments is also provided to children over 6 years of age, whose start of compulsory school attendance was postponed or whose fulfilment of compulsory schooling was additionally postponed.
Compulsory school attendance
Compulsory school attendance in the Slovak republic lasts for 10 years. It usually starts in the age of 6 and ends in the age of 16.
Primary education
(age 6 -15)
Primary education is compulsory and it lasts for 9 years. It is divided into two stages of 4 and 5 years respectively:
- the first stage of primary school (grades 1 to 4),
- the second stage of primary school (grades 5 to 9).
After finishing the first stage of primary education (grades 1 to 4), it is not necessary to pass an entrance test to be accepted to the second stage of primary education. Alternatively, it is possible to continue in studies at a secondary education institution (starting from lower secondary level lasting then for 8 years) after finishing the first stage of primary education. However, it is necessary to pass an entrance test to be accepted to the secondary education institution.
Secondary education
(usually age 15 -19, although in case of 8-year secondary education following the first stage of primary education children start the secondary school in the age of 10)
There are 3 types of school providing secondary education in Slovakia:
Gymnasium (Secondary grammar school)
Gymnasium provides general secondary education and prepares for the further study at universities and other higher education institutions.
Besides 4-year Gymnasium schools there are also 8-year Gymnasium schools, which provide education both at lower and upper secondary levels.
Specialised secondary school
This school prepares students for vocational education and for study at higher education institutions.
Vocational secondary school
Vocational secondary school prepares students for occupations requiring higher level vocational education and a School Leaving Certificate. Students may continue their studies at higher education institutions.
Apprentice training centres
Prepare school-leavers for professional activities.
Conservatories
Conservatories are a special type of professional school that provides courses in such fields as Dancing, Dramatic Arts, Music, Singing.
Higher education
Higher education institutions provide higher institutions within the framework of accredited study programmes. The study programmes are offered at 3 levels.
- the first level is the Bachelor study programme,
- the second level are Master study programmes, Engineer study programmes, doctor study programmes,
- the third level is the PhD study programme and specialised training in medicine.
Last modified: 2014-01-03