148th regular session of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia

Proposal for the Higher Education Act

The Government has finalised the draft text of the new Higher Education Act, which will be considered by the National Assembly under the ordinary legislative procedure. This new Act will replace the current legislation, which is 30-years-old and has been amended 13 times. The Act proposal envisages a gradual increase in funding for higher education to 1.5% of gross domestic product (GDP), including investment in higher education and residence halls for tertiary students.

While retaining the existing system of negotiations, the Act introduces a new system of funding higher education, tied to individual six-year (previously four-year) contractual periods. These periods and negotiations will apply to both academic and investment activities of public universities.

A key innovation in the Higher Education Act proposal is the establishment of exclusively public universities, which can only be formed at the proposal of the Slovenian Government; however, (public) independent higher education institutions cannot be established. The two existing public independent higher education institutions – the Faculty of Information Studies in Novo mesto and the Landscape Governance College GRM Novo mesto – will be merged into one of the public universities once the Act comes into force.

Additionally, the proposed Act introduces the provision whereby public student residence halls may only be established as members of public universities. The Public Institute of Ljubljana Halls of Residence will thus become part of the University of Ljubljana.

The procedure for granting concessions is now more detailed. Concessions will be granted if it is found that a particular study programme is not offered by public universities or is not provided to an adequate extent (e.g. a shortage of specific staff in the market due to insufficient enrolment places or the absence of certain study programmes at public universities).

The proposed Act introduces new provisions regarding the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (NAKVIS) and extends the period for initial accreditation and reaccreditation of a higher education institution from five to seven years.

A completely new area covered by the proposed Act is micro-credentials, which will be awarded based on short-term training at higher education institutions. This will allow individuals to upgrade or expand their knowledge, particularly in response to the continuous need for new skills in the labour market.

In the new Higher Education Act proposal, the current part-time study model is replaced with a study programme model adjusted to individual time availability (time-flexible studies). A year of study in a time-flexible programme may last up to two years, and the programme must be completed in its full accredited extent. Students enrolled in time-flexible programmes will have acquired the same level of knowledge as full-time students by the end of their studies.

Study programmes at higher education institutions will continue to be taught in Slovenian, with certain exceptions under current legislation, such as studies of foreign languages and literatures, joint programmes with foreign institutions and international student exchange programmes.

The proposed Act also places greater emphasis on physical activity for students, particularly in the first year of first-cycle programmes, where physical education will again be compulsory but not graded.

Draft Act Amending the Matura Examination Act

With the Act Amending the Matura Examination Act, the Government is aligning with the expert guidelines and objectives of the public education system. The main focus is on the development changes to the vocational matura examination and the equalisation of opportunities for candidates taking the vocational or general matura examination.

The proposed amendments to the Matura Examination Act are designed to ensure a higher level of knowledge for students in upper secondary technical schools who, in their third year, decide to continue their education at a university or master's degree programme. These students will have the option to take the vocational matura examination, consisting of five subjects, once the Act comes into effect. This matura examination will include general education subjects (mathematics, a foreign language and the language of instruction – Slovenian, Hungarian or Italian) at the same level as the general matura examination.

Preparation for the matura examination will be provided at the school where the student is enrolled. This includes additional classes in general education subjects to ensure that students receive adequate support in meeting the required knowledge standards. In doing so, the Government is also pursuing the principle of equal opportunities.

The amendments also offer opportunities for gifted students, allowing them to gain more in-depth knowledge during their secondary education – a possibility not available under the existing system, which requires upper secondary technical school students to find their own secondary or gimnazija school programme to prepare for the fifth optional matura subject.

In addition to the above changes, the amendment also ensures equal opportunities for candidates taking the general and vocational matura examinations, allowing them to take the examination in two parts. Following the adoption of the Act, candidates taking the vocational matura examination in two parts across two consecutive examination periods will be able not only to retake a failed subject but also to improve the mark obtained in the first part of the exam – just like candidates taking the general matura examination.

The objective of the proposed amendments is consistent with the Higher Education Act proposal, which governs the conditions for enrolment in study programmes. The adoption of the Act is necessary to improve the quality of upper secondary education as a basis for successful continuation of studies in university and integrated master’s study programmes.

Draft Act Amending the Provision of Foster Care Act

The Government has finalised the text of the draft Act Amending the Provision of Foster Care Act and will submit it to the National Assembly for consideration under the ordinary legislative procedure. The draft Act provides for legal and systemic changes in the provision of foster care with the aim of ensuring the best possible quality of foster care and thus the special care for children who, for various reasons, cannot live with their parents.

The main amendments to the Act concern the regulation of the appropriate amount of foster care payments and other issues directly related to the provision of foster care.

The draft Act provides for the following with regard to foster care payments:

A uniform foster care allowance for all children and persons aged 0–26:

• EUR 494.09 for material costs
• EUR 143.81 (child benefit)
• Total: EUR 637.90 (currently EUR 510.23)

An increase in the total amount of foster care allowance:

• 25% increase: EUR 797.38
• 50% increase: EUR 956.85
• Foster carer must report annually or upon request

Payment for the work of a foster carer:

• EUR 360.10 (currently EUR 166.69)
• With 25% increase: EUR 450.11
• With 50% increase: EUR 540.15

Short-term (weekend/holiday) foster care:

• 75% of allowance: EUR 478.43
• Proportionate part of work payment
• (Currently: only proportionate foster care payment).

The draft Act introduces the following one-off cash benefits:

• EUR 360.10 for:

  • Placement following a measure to protect the child’s best interests (e.g. emergency removal)

  • Placement of several children from the same family (for each additional child)

• Annual allowance for leisure and holidays:

  • EUR 360.10 per child

  • Condition: child has been placed for at least three months

The draft Act also regulates the following:

• Defines additional powers within the legal duties of the foster carer

• Simplifies the procedure for professional foster care (change of jurisdiction)

• Lowers threshold: placement of one child for one month now qualifies as professional foster care (also applies to adults with extended contracts)

• Allows adults to remain with the foster family if the contract ends due to carer’s reasons (e.g. illness, death); new contract may be concluded with another family member

• Provides free legal aid to foster carers in procedures to protect the child

• Enables participation in individual or group supervision

• Requires more frequent training – every three years (currently five)

• Introduces mandatory training as a condition for obtaining a foster carer licence.