In the new school year 21,886 of first graders will go to school for the first time. It is the largest generation of elementary pupils in the last ten years, said Minister of Education of the departing government Jernej Pikalo. He mentioned that the largest generations of pupils of elementary schools in the middle of the eighties had 30,000 children.

Each individual is precious

The increased number of pupils is expected for two more years, which according to him should not require any organisational changes, but it will present a welcome challenge. "Every individual is precious to this country, and each one of them should be educated until he/she reaches his/her maximum," Pikalo emphasized.

School statistics

In the new school year there will be 167,752 pupils at 450 elementary schools and 330 subsidiary schools. The predicted number of all secondary school pupils is 75,500, 20,000 in the first year of schooling.

Foreign languages

In the school year 2015/2016 a foreign language will be introduced in the first grade, as an elective subject. They will continue with the introduction of foreign languages into the 2nd grade of elementary schools, and then each following year into 5th and 6th grade. Next year the optional foreign language will be introduced in the 7th grade, and in the following years into 8th and 9th grade. The introduction of obligatory second foreign language will continue at 159 schools, in the 8th and 9th grade.

New foresters will be educated

The new school year will bring independence to Maribor Technical school centre, and to Maribor Carpentry school, while Maribor Carpentry school will introduce two additional educational programmes, i.e Forester and Forestry technician.