From revised curricula to the expansion of public funding for teaching materials: What key changes does the new school year bring?

The new school year is approaching rapidly, bringing with it several key changes aimed at improving educational outcomes and aligning curricula with modern demands. Among these changes are revised teaching plans and expanded public funding for educational materials, which will take effect starting with the 2026/2027 academic year. Revised teaching plans will come into force for both secondary and primary education. These updates emphasize the development of digital competencies, financial literacy, and skills related to sustainability and entrepreneurship. In secondary schools, there will be a focus on general education subjects alongside vocational and professional training programs. Five pilot programs have been introduced under the “Modernization of Vocational Education” project, including roles such as nurse assistant, pharmaceutical technician, mechatronics operator, and others. These programs aim to enhance adaptability and responsiveness of vocational education to labor market needs while promoting economic, environmental, and social development. The Ministry of Education, Science and Sport has stated that the revisions generally should not affect the volume of content taught or the workload of students. It added that secondary schools are well-prepared for the upcoming changes, as both public institutions responsible for curriculum renewal, Center for Vocational Education of the Republic of Slovenia (CPI) and the Slovenian School Inspectorate (ZRSŠ), have already begun teacher training sessions, which will continue in August before the start of the school year. A notable change concerns the structure of the vocational maturity exam. The ministry explained that a legislative amendment is being prepared to revert the exam back to its previous format, which required passing exams in four subjects rather than five. This change aims to restore the internal and organizational structure that was in place before the 2025 amendment. However, candidates who complete the vocational maturity exam will still retain the opportunity to meet entry requirements for university and one-year master’s study programs, depending on the specific admission criteria set by each program. Another planned reform involves the inclusion of immigrants in secondary schools. A legislative change is underway to gradually integrate refugees into secondary education after completing preparatory courses. The initiative focuses on equipping individuals with knowledge of the Slovenian language and other essential content necessary for faster integration into society. In addition to these reforms, the expansion of public funding for educational materials is set to include students in the fourth grade of primary school. Starting in the 2026/2027 school year, primary schools will provide all prescribed textbooks for students from the first to the fourth grade using funds from the textbook fund. This follows the successful completion of a curriculum renewal project, during which over 200 teaching plans and subject catalogs were updated. The revised teaching plans align with common goals and are logically integrated into individual teaching plans, ensuring that the scope of knowledge standards and objectives is tailored to the subject matter covered in each educational program. These changes reflect broader efforts to modernize education systems, improve student competencies, and ensure equitable access to quality learning resources. As preparations continue, educators and administrators remain focused on implementing these reforms effectively and efficiently.