Slovakia’s education system for youth primarily covers upper-secondary and tertiary education levels, consistent with the national definition of youth. Recent reforms focus on modernizing curricula, promoting inclusiveness, and aligning education outcomes with labour market needs. The Ministry of Education implements policies aiming to reduce early school leaving and enhance student participation, including strengthening school parliaments and civic engagement at the school level.

Further information on upper-secondary and tertiary education can be found through Eurydice resources on Slovakia’s education system.

Non-formal education plays an important role in youth development in Slovakia. The Youth Work Support Act (No. 282/2008 Coll.) defines youth work and outlines support mechanisms for youth organizations and workers. 

Policies targeting young people’s transition into the labour market are closely linked to education and training initiatives. Efforts are underway to enhance vocational education and training (VET), promote apprenticeships, and strengthen cooperation between schools and employers. This aims to equip youth with relevant skills and improve employment prospects.

Slovakia supports lifelong learning for youth through adult education programmes and digital skills development strategies. The National Curriculum has been updated to incorporate digital citizenship education from early school stages.

Slovakia participates in EU-wide mobility programmes and collaborates with international organizations to enhance education and training quality and accessibility for youth. These efforts support young people’s opportunities for cross-border learning and cultural exchange.

Current challenges in Slovakia’s education and training system include addressing educational inequalities—particularly among marginalized groups such as the Roma community—improving teacher quality and retention, and bridging the digital divide to ensure equitable access to technology and digital learning tools.

Ongoing reforms aim to update legislative frameworks, enhance youth participation in education governance, and increase the inclusivity and relevance of education and training to meet evolving societal and labour market needs.