Slovak Ministry of Education introduces bonuses to combat teacher shortages

The Slovak Ministry of Education is implementing financial measures to address chronic teacher shortages in specific regions. Minister Tomáš Drucker stated that the ministry aims to increase the attractiveness of the teaching profession, particularly for young people, through targeted compensation allowances and performance-based bonuses.

Regional compensation amounts for 2025 include 130 EUR monthly in five districts of Bratislava, 60 EUR in the remainder of the Bratislava region, 70 EUR in the Trnava district and four districts in Košice, and 70 EUR in specific Košice districts. The shortage in Bratislava is attributed largely to high living and housing costs.

Additionally, a new evaluation system for pedagogical and professional staff—including teachers, educators, and psychologists—allows school principals to grant a performance-based supplement of up to 50 percent of a staff member's salary. This supplement is intended to reward exceptional performance and must be applied individually rather than as a blanket increase.