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School's about to begin, and the students are in for a big change in the heat of the holidays.
Croatia🏛️ PoliticsCenter9/7/2026

School's about to begin, and the students are in for a big change in the heat of the holidays.

The new school year in Croatia begins on September 7, 2026, with students returning to classrooms after summer holidays. The 2026/2027 academic year brings several changes, including the reintroduction of split winter breaks, the expansion of modular teaching in vocational schools, and some students taking new national exams. Approximately 36,300 first graders will start their schooling for the first time, slightly fewer than last year. Around 4,329 children have had their enrollment delayed due to various reasons such as emotional immaturity, concentration difficulties, and language barriers. The school calendar now includes two separate winter breaks, with the second break starting in February. In contrast, in neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina, some schools have postponed the start of classes due to high temperatures, while Croatia has not made similar decisions.

New school year begins with students returning to classrooms, while teachers make an important request to parents. The new academic year has officially started, with around 443,500 students set to return to their seats, according to data from the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth (MZOM). This includes approximately 296,500 elementary school students and 147,000 secondary school students. About 38,735 students have enrolled in secondary schools, with nearly 36,300 first-graders beginning their journey for the first time. At Osnovna škola Dobriše Cesarića in Zagreb, 39 first-graders began the year, divided into two classes. One class will be led by teacher Mihaela Koren. “The first day of school is always very exciting, both for children and parents, as well as for teachers,” she says. “It’s especially important to celebrate this day because it’s truly special. Children undergo a major change, moving from kindergarten to school, getting to know new friends and a new teacher.” Koren emphasizes the importance of creating a safe environment for students, where they feel comfortable and eager to attend school. She notes that the first meeting between teachers and students is particularly meaningful, along with the curious looks from the children, which can sometimes be fearful or tearful. “I want them to know that I am also confused. But I’m here for them to help them through everything as easily as possible. Support is the most important thing,” she adds. In contrast, teacher Sanja Škreblin of the 4th grade class faces a different situation. Her students will finish their class and transition to subject-based instruction. “The most important thing is to continue what we’ve been doing all along. Let them learn and retain their friendships and remain a community. Everyone learns at their own pace and puts in the effort they can. There is no problem,” Škreblin explains. Teachers also addressed the issue of grading and pressure on students and parents. “Not everyone has to be a 5.0. People I know who weren’t 5.0 in school have achieved great success today,” Škreblin says. Teachers stress that children need to understand that grades are not a measure of their worth. “My goal is to convince children that numerical grades do not mean that ‘they are so valuable.’ So, if they get a five, it doesn’t mean they are excellent in everything. Conversely, if they get a three, it doesn’t mean they are bad at something,” Koren explains. She adds that children generally accept grades that are not perfect once they understand why they received them and what they can do to improve. “However, I think the pressure might come a little from parents and the entire system much later, especially as they approach seventh and eighth grades, or enrollment in high school,” she says. Koren believes it is essential to allow children to make mistakes and learn on their own. “We should encourage them to take responsibility for their tasks themselves. Don’t do things for them because in reality, it does not help them. That is actually a big misconception,” she concludes. Ravnateljica Gordana Fileš believes it is important to teach children how to deal with pressures, but also to know when to take responsibility. “Children need to learn how to solve their problems, and adults theirs. We need to be careful not to place too much burden on children,” she concludes. Fileš also believes children should think about what they want to do in life, what makes them feel good, and what they believe they do well. Grades can serve as a form of feedback, but should not determine the value of a child. “There will always be outstanding students, there will always be those who receive a three. That grade should be a guide. We should slightly reduce the focus on grades and on the child. I think that would help,” she says.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

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4 reports

Index.hr logoIndex.hrIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 859/7/2026
The first day of school in 20 photos from cities across the country

The new school year has begun in Croatia, with students across the country heading back to school accompanied by parents. Reporters captured images from various cities, including Osijek, Zagreb, Rijeka, Pula, and Dalmatia, showcasing the first day of the 2026/2027 academic year. The school calendar includes winter, spring, and summer breaks, with notable changes to the winter break structure. Students will now have two shorter winter breaks: one from December 24 to January 5, followed by another from February 22 to 26. Spring break begins on March 25 and ends on April 2, while the final day of classes for most students is June 15, 2027, with summer vacation starting the next day. Students in the final years of secondary school will finish earlier, on May 21, 2027, to prepare for final exams and the state matriculation exam.

Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual overview of the new school year schedule and related events without taking a clear stance or showing bias toward any particular political group or ideology. It focuses on logistical information such as dates and schedules, which are neutral in nature.

Why factuality (90): The article accurately reports the start of the school year, including the calendar changes and student numbers. It references official data from the Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth and provides clear details on holiday schedules and curriculum changes, aligning closely with other sources.

Why objectivity (85): The tone remains objective, providing information on the new school year without emphasizing any particular viewpoint. It covers both the logistical aspects and the impact on students, maintaining a balanced perspective throughout.

Index.hr logoIndex.hrIndependentCenterFactual 88Objective 809/7/2026
The teachers have an important request for the parents.

Nova školska godina je počela, s prema podacima Ministarstva znanosti, obrazovanja i mladih, oko 443.500 učenika u školskim klupama. U Osnovnoj školi Dobriše Cesarića u Zagrebu je 39 prvašića raspoređeno u dva razreda, s učiteljicom Mihaelem Korenom koji naglašava važnost podrške i sigurnog okruženja za djecu. Učiteljica Sanja Škreblin ističe da je najvažnije nastaviti s ranijim radom i održati prijateljstvo među učenicima. Učiteljice su također naglasile da ocjene ne treba koristiti kao mjera vrijednosti djece, a da se djeci omogući da pogriješe i nauče sami. Ravnateljica Gordana Fileš podsjeća na potrebu da se na djecu ne stavi preveliki teret.

Bias read (Center): The article discusses educational practices and teacher perspectives on student support and grading systems, which are professional and pedagogical topics rather than politically charged. While there is some discussion around societal pressures and expectations, the overall tone remains balanced and

Why factuality (88): This article provides detailed statistics on student enrollment and includes direct quotes from teachers discussing the first day of school. The figures match those found in other sources, and the content is presented with minimal bias, focusing on the experience of students and educators.

Why objectivity (80): The article maintains a neutral tone, presenting both the excitement of the first day and the support needed by teachers. It avoids taking sides and focuses on reporting the experiences and statements of educators without injecting personal opinion.

Index.hr logoIndex.hrIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 759/6/2026
School's about to begin, and the students are in for a big change in the heat of the holidays.

The new school year in Croatia begins on September 7, 2026, with students returning to classrooms after summer holidays. The 2026/2027 academic year brings several changes, including the reintroduction of split winter breaks, the expansion of modular teaching in vocational schools, and some students taking new national exams. Approximately 36,300 first graders will start their schooling for the first time, slightly fewer than last year. Around 4,329 children have had their enrollment delayed due to various reasons such as emotional immaturity, concentration difficulties, and language barriers. The school calendar now includes two separate winter breaks, with the second break starting in February. In contrast, in neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina, some schools have postponed the start of classes due to high temperatures, while Croatia has not made similar decisions.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the upcoming school year, including administrative changes and logistical updates. It does not take a clear ideological stance or frame the content in a politically charged manner. While it mentions regional differences (Bosnia and Herzegovina), it does

Why factuality (85): The article provides detailed information about the start of the new school year in Croatia, including student numbers, changes in holiday schedules, and specific details about first graders. It references data from the Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth, which adds credibility. However, some

Why objectivity (75): The tone is generally positive and celebratory, focusing on the excitement around the new school year. While this is common in educational reporting, it slightly leans towards an optimistic and enthusiastic perspective, especially regarding the enthusiasm of children and parents.

Slobodna Dalmacija logoSlobodna DalmacijaIndependentCenterFactual 80Objective 659/7/2026
Makarski's champion delighted everyone: The word is already known and he's living his life dream waiting for school to start!

The article describes the start of the new school year in Makarska, Croatia, focusing on the enthusiasm of first-grade students and their parents. It mentions that 66 children enrolled at OŠ oca Petra Perice and 81 at OŠ Stjepana lvičevića. The ceremony included songs, introductions to teachers, and expressions of excitement from the children. One child expressed eagerness to begin school, while another showed less interest. The event featured performances by local figures, and there was a notable absence of applause after the national anthem. The principal and mayor addressed the attendees, emphasizing support and encouragement for the students. The atmosphere was described as positive, with a focus on friendship and learning.

Bias read (Center): The article covers a routine educational event with no political controversy or ideological framing. It focuses on the personal experiences and emotions of children and parents during the start of the school year, without any overt political messaging or bias.

Why factuality (80): This article reports on the start of the school year in Makarska, providing specific numbers of first graders and quotes from students. It includes local details such as names of schools and teachers, which are factual. However, the focus on individual student comments and the anecdotal nature of th

Why objectivity (65): The article has a very positive and almost sentimental tone, emphasizing the joy and excitement of the children and parents. This emotional framing can be seen as biased towards portraying the school start as a highly anticipated and joyful event, rather than presenting a balanced view.

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