The University Education of Teachers in Slovakia

The analytical report takes stock of the situation of university education of teachers for nursery, basic and middle schools in Slovakia. It distinguishes three stages in the development of Slovak education and changes in undergraduate training of teachers after 1989: 1. the stage of the new beginning (1990–1996/1997); 2. the stage of conceptualisation and Europeanisation (1996/1997–2004); and 3. the stage of introduction of the structured teacher education based on the Bologna model (from 2004/2005 to the present). It summarises experience with structured teacher education degrees to date and argues that the reform has not brought the proclaimed benefits and that changes will be necessary. The concluding section of the report offers concrete proposals and recommendation on how to improve the undergraduate and postgraduate training of teachers in Slovakia.