Only VAT funds from the state: Zagorje primary school for children with special needs to receive a grant

A primary school for children with special needs in Zagorje will receive a new building extension, according to local reports. The Dr. Slavka Gruma Primary School in Zagorje is currently in the process of acquiring a new extension adjacent to its existing structure on Cankarjev trg. The new building will be connected via a bridge to the current school premises. The school has long faced spatial constraints and increasing student numbers, which have made the existing facilities inadequate for delivering quality and safe education. The extension is designed to provide suitable space conditions, better organization of work, and long-term stable operation of the school. It includes a basement, ground floor, upper floor, and a mezzanine, totaling approximately 1,480 square meters of gross area. The extension will accommodate additional classrooms, a gymnasium, smaller meeting rooms, and spaces for supporting and technical activities aimed at implementing adapted and specialized programs of upbringing and education for children with mental developmental disorders. The project is planned for realization in the coming year, with the completion of the wall construction. The school’s management stated that while the new extension will not change the basic purpose of the existing and used spaces, it will influence their functionality. Existing capacities will be relieved, enabling better organization of teaching, more efficient use of space, and improved working conditions for students and staff. According to the school, the renovation involves repurposing a neighboring building that previously housed a kindergarten. Improved operating conditions for the school are expected after the completion of the planned renovation. The municipality of Zagorje ensures annual funding for minor repairs and regular maintenance of the buildings. The project has been prepared with investment and project documentation, which serves as a basis for further implementation procedures. Construction is scheduled to take place between 2027 and 2029, with the exact schedule and dynamics of the works to be determined after signing the financing agreement. The estimated value of the investment is around 4.1 million euros. Funding is expected to come from the ministry responsible for education and the school's own resources. However, the municipality expressed some disappointment regarding the level of financial support received from the state, as they had hoped to receive more funds for both this school and another, the Toneta Okrogar Primary School. They noted that the funds received would only cover the VAT, which ultimately returns to the national budget. The project has been fully documented, providing a foundation for proceeding with the implementation. Regarding potential issues with neighboring municipalities, the municipal administration mentioned receiving informal information that there might be complications with the local government's co-financing. The neighboring municipalities of Trbovlje and Hrastnik reportedly refused to contribute to the co-financing of the extension, despite the fact that the school serves students with special needs from both areas. The municipality of Zagorje responded that they will continue discussions with both municipalities, although they will also account for their share. When checked in Hrastnik and Trbovlje, the municipality of Hrastnik stated that their school has departments with adapted programs available to all children from Hrastnik. The issue of eight students from Hrastnik attending the school in Zagorje was not addressed. The municipality of Trbovlje did not respond to two calls for comments.