Slovenia Education Minister Borut Rončević defends school reform

Slovenian Education Minister Borut Rončević is advocating for a comprehensive school reform, citing declining literacy rates among 15-year-olds as revealed by PISA research. The minister emphasized that the rapid development of artificial intelligence and changing societal needs necessitate urgent changes, stating that the reform process is transparent and open to suggestions.

However, the proposed changes have faced criticism from opposition politicians and educational experts. Representatives from the Left, Freedom Movement, and Social Democrats have called for an urgent session to discuss the reform, arguing that public schools primarily need more teachers and better working conditions rather than political experiments. There are specific concerns regarding the potential abolition of the current nine-year primary school system.

Experts, including Sonja Pečjak from the University of Ljubljana, have warned that literacy is a complex issue involving both school-based skills and broader reading culture. Critics caution that dismantling established systems without thorough analysis and stakeholder involvement could lead to long-term instability in the education sector.