Slovakia's education responses to the influx of Ukrainian refugees

The Asylum Act and Resolution No. 185 outline the procedure through which Ukrainian citizens may receive temporary protection in Slovakia. According to the Asylum Act, individuals seeking protection should declare their request at an office of the police department. Upon acceptance of the request and the submission of biometric data, the individual will be issued a certificate of temporary protection under the category of ‘temporary refuge.

Access to schools 

Resolution No. 185/2022 states that the Minister of Education shall take measures to facilitate access to education and training on an ongoing basis to children granted temporary protection in Slovakia. A guidance document issued by the Ministry clarifies that children from Ukraine are not subject to compulsory school attendance, which applies only to individuals with permanent residence in Slovakia per Act No. 245/2008 (the School Act). 

According to Article 146 of the School Act, non-nationals who have been granted a residence permit and their children may access education under the same conditions as Slovak citizens. It states that the school director is responsible for grade placement, and that children of individuals granted temporary protection are to receive placement no later than three months after submission of an application for protection. School directors may determine placement based on age, previous education level, and command of the Slovak language, although no specific guidance is provided on documentation requirements to prove completion of previous levels. The Act also affirms that children may be conditionally placed in grade levels on the basis of insufficient language proficiency.  

Safe learning environment 

The School Act states that educational institutions must provide for the basic physiological needs of students, protect their health and safety, and create conditions for their healthy development. Decree No. 527/2007 of the Ministry of Health establishes requirements for facilities used by children and youth, including guidelines related to spatial arrangements of classrooms, school equipment, water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, physical exercise and outdoor activities, and nutritional standards. Act No. 355/2007 also states that facilities for children and youth, including those used for education and training, must be established in an environment that promotes their health. 

A guidance document published by the Ministry of Education states that to accommodate Ukrainian learners, schools may increase the maximum capacity of classrooms by three students if safety conditions are maintained in accordance with Act No. 355. The School Act also states that non-national students may access school meals on the same basis as citizens. 

Quality learning conditions 

According to Article 146 of the School Act, Slovak language courses will be organized to remove language barriers for non-national students. Act No. 596/2003 states that language courses will be organized and financed by regional school administrations in cooperation with local municipal authorities. Ministerial guidelines state that the school director is responsible for appointing language instructors from among regular employees or external candidates and should request financial resources from regional authorities to fund the courses. The State Pedagogical Institute (ŠPÚ) has also prepared language resources and translation of materials in the Ukrainian language on its website.  

According to Methodological Instruction No. 22/2011 for the assessment of primary school pupils, the evaluation of students who are non-nationals should be adapted to take language barriers into consideration. A guidance document issued by the Ministry for the assessment of pupils from Ukraine states that teachers should apply evaluation standards based on knowledge of the material rather than linguistic correctness and encourages teachers to provide verbal assessments whenever possible. It emphasizes that teachers should ensure students and their parents or legal representatives understand the assessments provided.  

Act No. 92/2022 amends Law No. 138/2019 on pedagogical employees and professional employees to facilitate the employment of Ukrainian teaching and non-teaching staff. It states that citizens of Ukraine with qualifications in the field of education may submit an affidavit proving their qualifications in lieu of documentation. Individuals who submit an affidavit must also present a psychological assessment proving that they are fit to perform pedagogical work before beginning employment in schools.  

To finance the additional costs of educating Ukrainian students, the Ministry of Education disbursed a one-time payment of 200 euros per student to primary and secondary schools to cover the costs of school supplies and other expenses.  

Access to transitions 

According to guidance issued by the Ministry, Ukrainian students follow the same procedure for admission to secondary schools as nationals. Admission requirements are determined by secondary schools and typically include the completion of an entrance exam. In April 2023, the National Institute of Education and Youth published a response to a query sent to the Ministry of Education regarding the translation of entrance exams for Ukrainian students. According to Article 64 of the School Act, the Ministry is responsible for determining the subjects for the entrance exams, while the content of the exam and the language in which it is conducted are determined by the school. In their response, the Ministry indicates that school directors may therefore allow the translation of exams into Ukrainian.  

Certification of learning 

According to the School Act, the completion of secondary general education is certified by the matriculation exam. Ministerial guidance states that Ukrainian students may apply for the matriculation exam on the same basis as nationals. Decree No. 224/2022, which defines the organization of the exam for the 2022/2023 academic year, allows for the adjustment of time limits for students who are foreigners according to the length of education in the language of instruction. For students who have attended education in the Slovak language for less than two years, extended time by 50 percent may be provided. No additional provisions have been made for the translation of materials or granting of additional resources for Ukrainian students. 

Access to higher education 

Act No. 131 on Higher Education (2002) grants the right to study at higher education institutions to all persons who have completed secondary education and meet basic conditions for admission as determined by the institution. Ukrainian students may apply for enrolment through the same process as nationals, although criteria for admissions remains at the discretion of the university. Ukrainian students are eligible to apply for scholarships, including those granted under the Scholarships of the Government of the Slovak Republic program. However, no specific provisions have been introduced to facilitate access or financing of higher education for Ukrainian refugees.  

Ukrainians granted temporary protection enjoy freedom of movement under the Constitution (1992) and the right to work in Slovakia. Article 23a of Act No. 5/2004 on employment services affirms that employers may employ individuals granted temporary protection, and Act No. 92/2022 amending Act No. 5 introduces measures to facilitate the employment of Ukrainian citizens and support their integration into the labour market.  

In Slovakia, temporary protection has been extended until March 2024 and may be extended until March 2025 at maximum, in accordance with EU guidelines. However, most Ukrainian citizens have limited options to gain permanent residence status in Slovakia, and it remains to be determined how national authorities may extend the regular stay of Ukrainians on the territory should their displacement continue beyond the expiration of the Directive.