6.10 Current debates and reforms
The Ministry of Science and Education (MSE) implements an experimental programme School for Life. The MSE selected 74 schools in primary and secondary education through a public call. Schools joined the experimental implementation of the programme in the school year 2018/2019. The experimental programme was introduced only for some subjects and generations of pupils/students. An external evaluation showed that the reform is well accepted by school principals, students, and parents. The reform has received positive support, indicating a solid foundation for full implementation.
Most initiatives by the MSE in education during 2020 were related to the adjustment of teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in organising online teaching within the formal education system.
The current focal point is the process of the Comprehensive Curriculum Reform, initiated in 2015. However, the process has been temporarily halted as new professional leadership is being elected to continue the initiative. The reform includes the implementation of a curriculum and learning outcomes instead of plans and programmes, extending primary education to nine years, and incorporating digital education materials and information-communication technology.
The adoption of the Ordinance on Recognition and Validation of Non-formal and Informal Learning was initially planned for 2018 and later rescheduled to 2019. This topic was discussed during parliamentary sessions in 2019. By the end of 2021, the Ordinance had not been adopted, although it was planned to follow the adoption of the Adult Education Act, which was passed in 2021.