Academic guidance

Academic counselling and guidance of children in early childhood and primary education is organised through a system of professional support and advisory work within educational institutions, in accordance with relevant laws, curricula and strategic documents.

In early childhood education and care, advisory work includes an expert assessment of the needs of children, including children with developmental disabilities, and the provision of timely, professional and continuous support to children and parents. According to the Ordinance on the Content and Duration of Preschool Programme, the preschool programme must ensure optimal conditions for the development of the child's skills, habits and competences in the year before starting school, and includes cooperation with parents and other experts.

In primary education, counselling is organised as part of the school's educational activities, including the work of the school psychologist, class teacher, teachers and lecturers who provide individual counselling to pupils and parents regarding learning, school performance and other problems. Pupils with disabilities are additionally provided with counselling by a social pedagogue, speech therapist and educational rehabilitator, as well as systematic support through individualised programmes and adapted forms of work.

Psychological counselling

Psychological counselling of children in early childhood and primary education is organised as part of a system of professional support aimed at monitoring, determining and improving the psychophysical condition of children and providing individual and group assistance in various areas of development and functioning.

In early childhood education and care, according to the Preschool Education Act, children with developmental disabilities are included in programmes tailored to their needs, and the kindergarten's expert committee, which includes expert associates and a nurse, conducts an assessment and counselling of parents. The preschool programme, as prescribed in the Ordinance on the Content and Duration of the Preschool Programme, must ensure optimal conditions for the development of the child's skills and competencies in the year before starting school, including psychological support.

In the primary school system, according to the Primary and Secondary School Education Act, the psychophysical condition of a child is determined by a school expert committee, which includes a school doctor, pedagogue, psychologist, educator-rehabilitator and other expert associates. The procedure includes determining the psychophysical condition and the composition of the committees, including psychological testing of children before enrolment and during schooling in order to adjust the programme and support. Expert associates, including psychologists, provide individual counselling to pupils and parents. Schools are required to organise a system of individual counselling and additional support for pupils with disabilities, including the work of a school psychologist, social pedagogue, speech therapist and educational rehabilitator.

According to the Plan and Programme of Health Care Measures from Mandatory Health Insurance (Official Gazette 33/23), counselling work in schools is carried out at a specially designated time and includes assistance in solving problems related to adaptation to school, behaviour, mental health and other challenges. 

Career guidance 

Career guidance is not explicitly mentioned in early childhood education and care, but systematic support and early development of competencies provide the foundation for later guidance.

Career guidance for pupils is carried out by the joint efforts of school counsellors and career guidance counsellors of the Croatian Employment Service (CES). In primary education, expert associates (pedagogues, psychologists) in schools often have the role of providing information and counselling to pupils and parents about educational opportunities and the development of interests. Most concrete career counselling activities in primary school are carried out in the seventh and eighth grades, just before the transition to secondary education. This includes workshops, presentations by secondary schools, conversations with a pedagogue/psychologist, and information about further education opportunities. 

According to analyses, however, career counselling in primary school is not yet carried out systematically and in all schools in the same way. In many schools, it is only one element of the role of pedagogical associates, without special, focused and professional preparation. 

Euroguidance Croatia is part of the European network of national centres for lifelong career guidance and development support. The objectives of the national Euroguidance centre are:

• providing opportunities for professional development of career guidance counsellors
• encouraging international mobility of career guidance professionals in the Republic of Croatia
• promoting the European dimension in career guidance
• providing information on the education and career guidance system in the Republic of Croatia and Europe
• cooperation, support and development of lifelong career guidance in the Republic of Croatia.

Job Fairs, Career Guidance Days and other events are organised in each CES regional office, where pupils have the opportunity to learn about the offers of educational institutions, key labour market stakeholders and use career guidance services. 

The CES Career Information and Counselling Centres (CISOK) improve the personal potential of users for lifelong career development. CISOK provides free advice and information related to searching for and creating professional and educational opportunities. 

My Choice is a computer programme for career guidance used in regional offices of the Institute, schools and other organisations. It is intended for users aged 13 and older and provides the opportunity to search for information on occupations and educational opportunities in the Republic of Croatia, as well as to complete an interactive questionnaire for self‑assessment of interests and skills..