World Teachers' Day celebrations in Croatia

In observance of World Teachers’ Day, various celebrations and awards were held for educators across Croatia.

In Rijeka, the city hosted a reception to honor 35 retiring employees from the local education system, including staff from kindergartens and primary schools. Mayor Iva Rinčić recognized their impact on children and noted the city’s commitment to improving professional support and material rights for educators. Similar local recognition occurred in Vinkovci, where Mayor Josip Romić hosted a reception for school principals and teachers, specifically honoring those retiring after decades of service.

On a national scale, the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth awarded 518 educational workers for the 2025/2026 school year. During a ceremony at the University of Zagreb, Minister Radovan Fuchs emphasized the critical role of educators and announced a 3.2 billion euro investment in educational infrastructure, including the construction and renovation of schools, kindergartens, and sports halls. This represents the largest investment cycle in Croatian education to date. Recipients of these awards, which included teachers, mentors, and principals, received a gross monetary award of 1,327 euros each.

Additional local activities included a role-reversal event in Cres where high school graduates taught primary school students. Meanwhile, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Rijeka used the occasion to discuss PISA results, noting that Croatian students' literacy and mathematical skills remain below the OECD average, alongside ongoing concerns regarding teacher shortages.