Public education in Slovakia has faced stagnation in recent years, with high school graduation rates consistently lagging behind other OECD countries. Additionally, Slovakia's performance on the international PISA exam has steadily declined over the past 15 years. In response, the Ministry of Education has introduced a series of reforms aimed at addressing these challenges.
However, some individuals are taking matters into their own hands by creating civic associations, NGOs, and private schools. One such initiative is Živica, an NGO founded by Juraj Hipš, which is tackling the critical issue of inclusion in education through the establishment of Alma, a private, tuition-free primary school. RSI traveled to Zvolen to engage with students, teachers, and administrators at this innovative model school.
Galéria
