This school again!

The debate show Debate z Bergantom will open its autumn season with a discussion on whether starting a new school year presents an opportunity to break away from old habits or if the education system, alongside students, teachers, and parents, must undergo fundamental change. The episode, titled “Spet ta šola!” (“Again That School!”), is set to air on Wednesday, September 1, 2026, at 7:27 PM, broadcast by RTV Slovenia’s MMC channel. It marks the return of the popular program to address pressing issues surrounding the role of schools in modern society. As the first day of the new academic year approaches, the episode will explore broader questions beyond the immediate concerns of returning to class. Among them: how to overcome uncertainty at the start of the school year and build mutual trust among students, educators, and families. The discussion will also consider how social networks and artificial intelligence are reshaping traditional learning practices, particularly for older generations who have long relied on conventional methods. Another key topic will be whether today's schools are losing their traditional authority and what kind of educational model Slovenia truly needs moving forward. The panel features three prominent guests, each bringing unique perspectives to the conversation. Eva Novak, the 2026 Slovenian Student of the Year from Gymnasium Franc Miklošič in Ljutomer, will offer insights into the views of young people. She is also known for her active involvement in creative projects and volunteer work, providing a direct window into the experiences of the younger generation. Moja Mihelič, a long-serving headteacher at Primary School Danile Kumar in Ljubljana and former president of the Association of School Principals in Slovenia, brings extensive experience in managing systemic challenges within the education sector. Her expertise includes leadership and navigating complex administrative issues. Joining them is Dan Podjed, an anthropologist at the Institute of Slovene Ethnology, ZRC SAZU, and professor at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Ljubljana. He specializes in the relationship between society, technology, and the modern individual, making him well-suited to examine how technological advancements influence educational norms and expectations. The episode will also touch upon historical and European contexts, questioning whether September 1st is universally understood as the start of the school year. Historically, the beginning of classes has varied significantly, often aligned with agricultural cycles. In the 19th century, schooling in Slovenia began as late as mid-October or early November. The uniform date of September 1st was established only around a century ago in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, and later solidified by socialist Yugoslavia after World War II. The discussion will further compare Slovenia’s approach to other European countries. While 15 European education systems begin the academic year on September 1st in the 2026–27 school year, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, others start earlier. For example, Scandinavian countries typically begin classes in the first half of August, while parts of Germany and the Netherlands start toward the end of August. Southern European nations such as Italy, Greece, Spain, and Malta usually begin in mid-September or later. In terms of vacation duration, Slovenian students enjoy fewer holidays compared to their European peers. With a total of 95 days off per school year, Slovenia falls below the European average, which ranges between 100 and 120 days. This gap means Slovenian students spend approximately 29 days less in school than the average European student. The episode will be available on television on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 9:00 PM, on TV SLO 1. It will also be released as an audio podcast through the RTV 365 app and on platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.