Slovak education experts call for improved discipline and literacy

Experts in Slovakia are calling for systemic improvements in the national education system to address rising aggression and declining literacy rates. Jozef Mikloško, the Children's Commissioner, emphasized the need for teachers to have clear methodological guidelines to establish authority and set boundaries in classrooms. He noted that increasing aggression among youth can lead to mental health issues and suggested that educators require better tools for conflict de-escalation.

In a separate but related educational concern, Professor Andrej Rajský from the University of Trnava highlighted the long-term decline in reading literacy among Slovak students. Citing PISA results, which show that one-third of Slovak students struggle to understand written text, Rajský suggested that subsidizing school libraries could help combat negative cultural attitudes toward reading. He noted that while the pandemic and digitalization have impacted literacy, targeted school interventions are necessary to improve these foundational skills.