Education and School System in Slovakia
Primary schools in Slovakia
Primary school education starts at the age of 6 children. Primary school is divided into two stages. First stage lasts for four years (1st – 4th year of study). Second stage lasts for five years (5th – 9th year of study). After graduating from the primary school children continue their study at secondary school after passing the entrance exam.
Education on the first stage of primary school is different from the second stage. On the first stage every class has its own teacher to teach all lessons. On the second stage, every lesson is taught by a different teacher. Primary school teachers are specialized for teaching all primary school lessons. Teachers of primary schools have to have a university degree in Teacher training for the first grade of basic schools. Teachers of the second stage of primary school have to have a degree in Teacher training study programme in a particular subject. Teachers usually have a degree in two or three subjects. Pupils at primary schools receive marks from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 where 1 is the best, 5 is the worst. They receive marks in oral exams or written exams or tests. Lessons start usually between 7 to 8 am depending on school. Pupils at the first stage of primary school have from four to six lessons per day and the lessons end around 12.30 pm. Pupils at the second stage for primary school have five or six lessons per day and lessons end around 1 or 1.30 pm. They receive school reports at the end of each school term.
In the last year of study pupils decide on which secondary school they want to continue their study based on the study results and their interests. Schools accept their students based on study results. Some schools have entrance test.
Lessons on the first stage of primary school include:
- Mathematics
- Slovak language, reading and writing
- Prvouka - Introduction to Environment and Society (1st and 2nd year)
- Science (3rd and 4th year)
- Homeland Study (3rd and 4th year)
- Music
- Religion or Ethics
- Drawing
- Physical Education
Lessons on the second stage of primary school include:
- Slovak language and literature
- Mathematics
- Foreign language; usually English or German
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Science
- Geography
- Farming and Technical Education
- Drawing
- Physical Education
- History
- Religion or Ethics
- Citizenship
- Music