InvestSlovenia

EDUCATION

Internationally comparable strengths of Slovenia’s intellectual capital:

Fast expansion of tertiary education measured by enrolment

High enrolment rate in the age group 7-29

High achievements of pupils in natural sciences and mathematics

Educational attainment of youths (high % of those aged 22 who have successfully completed at least upper secondary education)

High marginal economic benefits of higher education measured by difference in earnings and unemployment rates

Public investment in education as a % of GDP

Average number of foreign languages studied in general upper secondary education (Slovenia: 2; EU-15: 1.8)

Higher education achievement (attained at least tertiary education for persons 25-34 (19.5% in 2002))

Education is an important element of Slovenia’s national development strategy. Public expenditure on education as a % of GDP matches the EU-15 average.

Public expenditure on education as a % of GDP, 1998

Sources: OECD: Education at a Glance (2001); Ministry of Finance and Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia (2001)

In some aspects Slovenia ranked higher than many developed countries; for example in the achievement of pupils in 8th grade in science and mathematics, and in net enrolment ratios in formal education for age group 7-29.

Achievement of pupils in 8th grade in mathematics, 1999

Source: ISC-IEA (2000); TIMSS (1999)

Achievement of pupils in 8th grade in science, 1999

Source: ISC-IEA (2000); TIMSS (1999)

Net enrolment rate in education for age groups 15-19 and 20-29, 1999

OECD: Education at a Glance (2001); Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia: Statistical Yearbook (2000) and internal documentation (2001)

Special attention is devoted to the teaching of foreign languages, resulting in high foreign language skills in the country. OECD's evaluation report of the Slovenian educational system published in 1999 gave credit to Slovenia’s achievements in the area of educational systems continuously adapted to changing needs, demands and advances in scientific knowledge.

As regards tertiary enrolment and graduation rates of the adult population, the figures are lower than in more developed countries, but the picture is changing quickly to the better.

Share of population with tertiary education (age group 25-64, Slovenia 25+), 1999

Sources: OECD: Education at a Glance (2001); Kraigher (2001).

Curriculum reform at the primary and secondary levels of education was launched in the 1990s and its implementation was completed in 2003. Compulsory education in the reformed system starts at age of six instead of seven and lasts nine years instead of eight. The new nine year primary school brings different forms of ability grouping into the structure of basic education. General secondary education and vocational education have also been modified to prepare students to undertake learning also later in life. Within the framework of tertiary education, institutional and curriculum diversification has increased substantially fuelled also by the need for adult education and retraining.

Slovenia is a signatory to the Bologna Declaration of 19 June 1999, which focuses on the creation of the European area of higher education as a factor for social and human growth. Lifelong learning, promotion of citizens’ mobility and employability are high on the government’s list of priorities. Steps toward further convergence with the European higher educational systems leading to comparable degrees are being discussed.

Relative earnings before taxes of persons with higher and upper secondary education, 1999

Sources: OECD: Education at a Glance(2001); Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia: Statistical Yearbook (2001)