Slovenia to reform primary education following PISA decline

Slovenia education reform PISA 2025 results primary school model Borut Rončević literacy decline

Slovenia is planning a major overhaul of its education system following disappointing PISA 2025 results. The latest international assessment showed a decline in student performance across mathematics, reading, and science. Notably, Slovenian students' mathematics and reading literacy scores have fallen below the OECD average.

Education Minister Borut Rončević characterized the current situation as having a “catastrophic trend.” In response, the government has announced plans to abolish the existing nine-year primary school model. It will be replaced by a reformed eight-year system, which is scheduled to be implemented starting in the 2028/2029 school year. Under this proposal, the current first grade of primary school would transition into a mandatory kindergarten.

The reform aims to reduce curriculum overload and shift the focus toward fundamental understanding rather than rote memorization. Key components of the plan include updating curricula, reforming national testing and the matura, and increasing teacher autonomy. Additionally, the curriculum will place greater emphasis on computer science, programming, artificial intelligence, and media literacy. A strategic council is expected to be established by the end of September to prepare for these changes.

Entities

Borut Rončević · Ministry of Education, Science and Youth · Mojca Škrinjar · OECD · Pisa · SVIZ · Slovenia

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 12 SOURCES] The PISA 2025 results showed a significant decline in the knowledge levels of Slovenian 15-year-olds. mojadijaspora.com · obalaplus.si · cekin.si · tvsa.ba · www.24ur.com · +7 more
[● 11 SOURCES] Slovenia plans to abolish the nine-year primary school model in favor of a reformed eight-year model. mojadijaspora.com · obalaplus.si · cekin.si · tvsa.ba · www.24ur.com · +6 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Slovenian students' mathematics and reading literacy scores fell below the OECD average. mojadijaspora.com · cekin.si · tvsa.ba · www.oslobodjenje.ba · cetinjskilist.com · +3 more
[● 10 SOURCES] The new eight-year primary school system is scheduled to be introduced starting in the 2028/2029 school year. mojadijaspora.com · obalaplus.si · cekin.si · www.24ur.com · www.delo.si · +5 more
[● 7 SOURCES] The reform includes updating curricula, reforming national testing and the matura, and strengthening teacher authority. obalaplus.si · cekin.si · www.delo.si · www.koroskenovice.si · cetinjskilist.com · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] Under the proposed reform, the current first grade of primary school would become a mandatory kindergarten. obalaplus.si · cekin.si · www.delo.si · www.koroskenovice.si · cetinjskilist.com · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] A strategic council will be established by the end of September to prepare for the reform. obalaplus.si · cekin.si · www.delo.si · www.koroskenovice.si · cetinjskilist.com · +2 more
[● 11 SOURCES] Slovenian Minister of Education Borut Rončević described the current state of education as very bad and the trend as catastrophic. mojadijaspora.com · obalaplus.si · cekin.si · tvsa.ba · www.24ur.com · +6 more