ON
← Back to feed
Children need to be told that school is not about fun; it is about work
Slovenia🏛️ PoliticsCenteryesterday

Children need to be told that school is not about fun; it is about work

The article discusses the transition of children into school life, emphasizing the need to prepare them for the reality of education rather than maintaining a fantasy of a fun and friendly environment. It critiques the notion of schools being 'pleasant' places, pointing out that they are structured environments focused on learning, discipline, and cooperation. The author highlights the challenges children face when transitioning from play-based settings to academic settings, including difficulties in forming social relationships and adapting to strict routines. While acknowledging the importance of making learning engaging, the piece argues that the process of learning, such as repetitive exercises and challenging tasks, is inherently serious work, not entertainment. The author expresses hope that children will be given opportunities to develop resilience and adaptability through this experience.

On September 1, 2026, nearly 19,000 primary school students across Slovenia stepped through the doors of their new academic year. Among them were 42 pupils at the Primary School Prof. Dr. Josip Plemlj in Bled, who received a special welcome from President of the Republic Nataša Pirc Musar. The ceremony took place amid preparations for a new school building, which had recently obtained preliminary approval but was still awaiting final legal clearance due to a local resident's objection. President Pirc Musar addressed the students and their parents, emphasizing the importance of education as a foundation for personal growth and societal progress. She highlighted that knowledge gained during schooling could never be taken away from individuals and encouraged students to balance learning with free time. Her remarks were delivered alongside Bled Mayor Anton Mežan, who expressed hope that the current generation of students would soon benefit from the new school infrastructure once the necessary approvals were finalized. In Gorišnica, 43 first-year students were greeted with a unique surprise. After receiving traditional supplies such as notebooks and stationery, they were taken to an ice cream shop by Mayor Borut Kolar. This gesture aimed to ease the transition into formal schooling while offering a moment of joy and comfort. The students were also given practical items to assist them with their studies, ensuring they felt prepared for the challenges ahead. At the Primary School Destrnik-Trnovska Vas, 22 students marked the beginning of their nine-year educational journey with a heartfelt reception. Local officials and school staff welcomed the children with warm wishes and encouraging messages. Principal Urška Jaroš emphasized the significance of curiosity, belonging, and setting goals during the students' formative years. She urged them to embrace the opportunities presented by the school environment while maintaining a sense of responsibility towards values taught within the institution. Mayor Vlasta Tetičkovič of Destrnik joined the celebration, expressing her hopes for the students' future experiences and memories. To make the occasion even more memorable, the municipality gifted each student a small token to commemorate their first day as pupils. These gestures underscored the community's commitment to supporting young learners as they embarked on this new chapter of their lives. The start of the school year brought mixed emotions for many families. While some viewed it as an exciting milestone filled with potential, others acknowledged the challenges associated with adapting to structured routines and academic expectations. Discussions around the nature of schooling often centered on balancing the need for discipline with the importance of fostering creativity and individuality among students. As the academic year commenced, educators and administrators focused on creating welcoming environments that encouraged exploration and discovery. They recognized the role of schools not just as centers of knowledge acquisition but also as spaces where students learned resilience, adaptability, and the value of perseverance. With these principles guiding their efforts, the new cohort of students began their journey toward becoming informed, capable, and responsible members of society.

5 reports

Gorenjski glas logoGorenjski glasIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 952 days ago
First Day of School With the President of the Republic

On the first day of the school year at Osnovna šola prof. dr. Josipa Plemlja in Bled, around 19,000 first-graders began their academic journey. President of the Republic Nataša Pirc Musar visited the school and emphasized the importance of education as a foundation for personal and societal progress. She highlighted that knowledge is essential for moving forward as a society and encouraged students to balance study with free time. The mayor of Bled, Anton Mežan, also attended the event, expressing hope that the current generation of students would benefit from the new school building under construction. He noted that while construction permits have been obtained, the project is still pending due to resolving complaints from nearby residents.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of multiple public figures attending a school event, including the president and local mayor. There is no overt ideological framing or emphasis on specific political agendas. The focus remains on the event itself and the officials' messages, which are reported

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports on the visit of the President to a primary school, highlighting her message to students. The facts presented align with the overall sentiment expressed in the primary source document.

Why objectivity (95): The article presents the events in a neutral and respectful manner, focusing on the official visit and message without injecting personal opinions or biases.

Lokalec logoLokalecIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 80yesterday
PHOTOS and VIDEO: Primary school students in Gorišnica enter the new school year with a sweet surprise

The first day of school in Gorišnica was marked by a sweet surprise for 43 first-grade students. The children, along with their parents, were welcomed in the cultural hall with wishes for a successful and enjoyable school year. Teachers greeted the students with smiles and helped them take their first steps into the school environment. They received practical supplies such as backpacks and useful items for schoolwork. The day concluded with a special treat when the mayor of Gorišnica, Borut Kolar, took the students on an ice cream outing.

Bias read (Center): The article describes a community event focused on welcoming new students to school, emphasizing positive and festive aspects. There is no overt political commentary or ideological framing. The focus is on local governance and community engagement, presented in a balanced manner without clear bias.

Why factuality (85): The article reports on the first day of school in Gorišnica, mentioning the sweet surprise of ice cream and the involvement of local officials. It includes specific details about the number of students and the activities they experienced, which are consistent with the primary source's focus on new b

Why objectivity (80): The tone is celebratory and enthusiastic, emphasizing the joy and excitement of the first day. While this is appropriate for the subject matter, it has a slightly more upbeat and festive tone than the primary source.

Lokalec logoLokalecIndependentCenterFactual 80Objective 85yesterday
PHOTO: First steps to school, full of expectations and smiles in Destrnik

The article describes the first day of school for young students in the municipality of Destrnik, Slovenia. Twenty-two children, known as 'prvošolci' (first graders), began their nine-year educational journey at the Primary School Destrnik–Trnovska vas. The event was marked by enthusiasm, smiles, and a warm welcome from local authorities, including the headmistress Urška Jaroš and mayor Vlasta Tetičkovič. Both emphasized the importance of curiosity, belonging, courage, and values during their schooling. The municipality also provided small gifts to commemorate the occasion, highlighting the significance of this milestone in the children’s lives.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses on a community event celebrating the start of school for young children, which is more of a social and cultural moment rather than a politically charged issue. While education is a public policy area, the framing of the article remains neutral, emphasizing communal support and a

Why factuality (80): This article accurately describes the first day of school in Destrnik, including the number of students and the positive atmosphere. It references the principal’s speech and emphasizes the importance of curiosity and courage, which aligns with the primary source's themes of new beginnings and childh

Why objectivity (85): The article maintains a positive and encouraging tone, highlighting the joy and excitement of the first day of school. While it leans towards a warm and supportive perspective, it doesn't introduce any overtly biased viewpoints.

Gorenjski glas logoGorenjski glasIndependentCenterFactual 80Objective 852 days ago
First Day of School With the President of the Republic

On the first day of the school year at the Primary School Prof. Dr. Josip Plemlj in Bled, around 19,000 first-grade students across Slovenia began their education. At this particular school, 42 students were welcomed by President of the Republic Nataša Pirc Musar, who emphasized the importance of knowledge and learning as essential tools for personal and societal progress. She encouraged students to balance academic pursuits with free time. Local mayor Anton Mežan also greeted the students, expressing hope that the new generation would benefit from the upcoming construction of a new school building. However, he noted that the building permit for the new school is still pending due to a legal challenge from a nearby resident.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the event, including quotes from both the president and the local mayor. There is no overtly biased language, and the framing remains neutral, focusing on the ceremonial aspects of the event rather than taking a stance on any political issue.

Why factuality (80): This article covers the unique welcome event for students in Kungota, including the 'party bus' and the involvement of local leaders. It provides specific details about the number of students and the nature of the celebration, which aligns with the primary source's theme of new beginnings and commun

Why objectivity (85): The tone is positive and highlights the community's effort to make the first day of school memorable. It presents the event in a favorable light without introducing significant bias.

Domovina logoDomovinaIndependentProgressiveFactual 70Objective 504 days ago
Children need to be told that school is not about fun; it is about work

The article discusses the transition of children into school life, emphasizing the need to prepare them for the reality of education rather than maintaining a fantasy of a fun and friendly environment. It critiques the notion of schools being 'pleasant' places, pointing out that they are structured environments focused on learning, discipline, and cooperation. The author highlights the challenges children face when transitioning from play-based settings to academic settings, including difficulties in forming social relationships and adapting to strict routines. While acknowledging the importance of making learning engaging, the piece argues that the process of learning, such as repetitive exercises and challenging tasks, is inherently serious work, not entertainment. The author expresses hope that children will be given opportunities to develop resilience and adaptability through this experience.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the educational system as a necessary but often harsh reality that children must confront, which aligns with a left-leaning perspective that emphasizes the importance of preparing children for societal expectations and personal development. The tone suggests concern for children’s

Why factuality (70): The article contains some factual elements but lacks specific numerical data or references to official sources. It discusses general themes related to education but does not provide concrete statistics or verifiable information about student numbers or enrollment trends.

Why objectivity (50): The tone is highly opinionated and biased, presenting an explicitly negative view of schools as places of stress rather than learning environments. The article uses emotionally charged language and makes generalized statements without supporting evidence.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories