EU funds for digitalising education in primary schools, secondary schools and adult education

This equipment will include conventional devices, such as laptops and tablets, as well as advanced technology devices including robotic arms, STEM sets and virtual reality equipment.

The Ministry of Education purchased robotic arms worth EUR 1,042,130.25 for 30 educational institutions that provide educational programmes in electrical engineering, mechatronics and mechanical engineering.

The opening event was also attended by the Minister of Education, Darjo Felda, and the EU Commission Representation Office delegate in Slovenia, Tomislav Silaj. In his address, the Minister emphasised that the project, which is being financed through funds from the Recovery and Resilience Plan, marks an important step in supporting our modern education system:

“It will enable us to provide educational institutions, from preschool to secondary and higher education institutions, with advanced technology. The project is worth almost EUR 20 million. With these funds, we strive to improve educational processes, increase competitiveness and prepare young people for future challenges. As part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, over 20% of EU funds from the NextGenerationEU Digital Transformation Scheme has been earmarked for achieving digital transition goals, which will provide our students with the modern tools and skills they need for living in a rapidly changing world through various projects, not only the one mentioned above.”

He also explained why the robotic arms would be particularly useful for the aforementioned schools.

“These schools will provide their students with hands-on training, technical skill development, and a deeper understanding of automation and robotics. The benefits of using robotic arms include, among other things, better student preparation for the modern work environment, improving problem-solving skills, and promoting innovation. All of the above includes the knowledge and competencies that we certainly want to support and develop within the educational process," emphasised Minister Felda.

The audience was also addressed by the Director of the Novo Mesto School Centre, Matej Florjan, and representatives of ABB Inžiniring, which is the selected provider of robotic arms. The supplier’s representatives also demonstrated how the robotic arm works with a practical example.

The project ‘Digitalising education in primary schools, secondary schools and adult education (equipment)’ was envisaged as part of the investment project ‘Digitalisation of education, science and sport’. The project’s purpose is to provide appropriate information and communication infrastructure and contribute to digitalising the educational process and the management of institutions at all education levels. The project aims to provide information and communication equipment to educational institutions that will support the reform processes outlined in the Recovery and Resilience Plan.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed shortcomings in ensuring high-quality distance education, adequate teacher competencies, and sufficient equipment and infrastructure. Given the development opportunities of digital education and the fact that in Slovenia only 32% of students regularly use a computer in class (compared to 52% in other EU Member States), it is essential to ensure adequate information and communication infrastructure, fast and reliable optical connections, and digital applications and e-services that drive the development of digital competencies.

The project ‘Digitalising education in primary schools, secondary schools and adult education (equipment)’ will run simultaneously with the activities of the Centre for Comprehensive Coordination of Digital Education under the development area ‘Smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’, specifically the component ‘Strengthening competencies, especially digital and those required by new professions and the green transition’. With the information and communication technology in place to support digitalising educational process and institutional management and administration at all levels of education (primary, secondary, post-secondary, higher education, and adult education), the establishment of appropriate information technology solutions, and the renovation of educational programmes or curricula, syllabi and knowledge catalogues by incorporating digital competencies and the fundamentals of computer science and information technology, we will strengthen digital competencies throughout the education system.

Total budget: EUR 16,438,339.00 (excluding VAT) or EUR 19,899,794.60 (including VAT).

For the purpose of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthening resilience, the Ministry of Education is allocating almost EUR 39 million for digitalising education, science and sports as part of the digital transformation development area, of which more than EUR 32 million are provided by EU recovery and resilience funds. As part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, more than 20% of EU funds from the NextGenerationEU Digital Transformation Scheme have been earmarked for achieving digital transition goals.