Secondary education in the Republic of Slovenia is divided into general (grammar schools) and secondary vocational and technical education.
General education takes four years and is completed with a matura examination as a form of external testing; besides university entrance it also enables enrolment in short-cycle higher education and professional higher education programmes.
Vocational and occupational education prepares apprentices and students to carry out an occupation. Schooling can last from two to five years, depending on the programme. It is completed with a final exam, while secondary occupational education programmes, which finish with a vocational matura examination, also enable students to enrol in short-cycle higher education and professional higher education programmes.
In some places, students have the option to stay in student dormitories.
Every year in January a call for enrolment in secondary schools is issued and information days are organised, where pupils can get information about school programmes. By a given deadline in March or April, depending on each year’s calendar, the application has to be submitted to the selected secondary school. If there are more applications than vacancies, a school may impose restrictions.
More information on the secondary school enrolment procedure is available at the E-government portal.
List of secondary schools and student dormitories and more information on secondary education can be found on the website of the ministry responsible for education.
A Slovenian language course is organised for students who need and want help with their Slovenian, and the teacher’s assessment of their level of Slovenian is taken into account. Schools organise a Slovenian language course for students only during the first two years of their schooling in Slovenia.
Primary school pupils borrow textbooks free of charge. Even though textbook funds are not mandatory in secondary schools, most schools have them. Students borrow textbooks for a fee. For more information about textbooks and textbook funds go to the website of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport.
Children from families whose average monthly income per person as determined in the child benefit decision does not exceed 53 % of the average net salary in Slovenia are entitled to free lunch. Children from families whose average monthly income per person as determined in the child benefit decision does not exceed 36% of the average net salary in Slovenia are entitled to free dinner. Children placed in foster families and children asylum seekers are also entitled to free school lunches. For more information go to the website of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport.
Secondary school students and university students can apply for a scholarship. For more information on procedures to obtain a scholarship go to the E-government portal.