Educational reforms and supply regulations introduced in Slovakia and Czech Republic

New educational regulations and funding rules are being implemented in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

In Slovakia, the National Institute for Education and Youth (NIVaM) announced that the primary stage of basic education will be extended to five years under a new state educational program. The curriculum will be structured into three cycles: the first covering years one to three, the second covering years four to five, and the third covering years six to nine. This change aims to provide teachers with greater flexibility to adapt the pace of learning to the specific needs of a class, reducing pressure on students and allowing for more individualized education.

In the Czech Republic, legislation mandates that primary schools provide textbooks and approved study texts free of charge. For first-grade students, the law also requires the free provision of basic school supplies valued at 500 CZK per school year. Additionally, workbooks that hold official approval from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports are categorized as study texts and must be provided to students at no cost.