Slovenian Students Are Back in School

School is becoming more expensive year upon year

2. september 2013 ob 12.22 • Ljubljana - MMC RTV SLO

Slovenian students are back in school Foto: BoBo

Summer holidays are over for Slovenian primary and secondary school students. 163,914 pupils – among them 20,368 first-year pupils – and 77,283 secondary school students started school today.

More than 500 Slovenian primary schools with over 300 subsidiary units and 151 secondary schools opened their doors today. First-year teachers will welcome 1,155 more pupils than last school year, while the number of students in secondary education has decreased. There will be 1,300 fewer students in secondary schools this year. There have been some changes made concerning primary education : descriptive grading will still be used in the first and second grades, but no longer in the third, and the schools have been forced to shorten afternoon childcare as well as the number of hours for study groups - due to the ordinance of the Ministry of Education.

“In grades 5-9, textbooks and workbooks alone cost 200 euros per pupil. Add other school supplies to this, and you're at 300 euros. Add additional charges such as breakfast, lunch, use of the gym, payment for cleaning ladies … - which costs between 100 and 150 euros. Then multiply by 9. Secondary education is twice this expensive, especially for freshmen, who do not have the option to borrow textbooks instead of buying them”, points out Anita Ogulin, secretary of the Association of Friends of Youth.

The reduction is a direct consequence of austerity measures, since the ministry ordered the schools to reduce the number of teachers by 1% over the summer, which the schools carried out through the above-mentioned cuts, by not employing new teachers despite retirements, and by increasing the number of teaching hours for the employed, reports Radio Slovenija.

Slovenian education minister Jernej Pikalo wished all students, particularly first-graders, a pleasant and unforgettable first day of school. “You’re coming back to school again – or for the very first time – well-rested, full of expectations and ready to learn new things”, wrote Pikalo in a letter missive. He assured the teachers he would continue to fight for the respect, understanding and proper reward the vocation deserves.

Borut Pahor, the president of Slovenia, advised the students to learn: “The more you know, they more you’ll be able to shape the future by your own standards. School is exactly what you need for that.” He wished the students a great school year. He hopes the students will enjoy school, have a good time there, make new friends, and maybe even fall in love.