According to Act no. 245/2008 on education (Zákona č. 245/2008 o výchove a vzdelávaní (školský zákon), education in schools is based on the principle of equal access to education while taking into account individuals‘ needs and their co-responsibility for their education. The law prohibits any forms of discrimination, segregation in particular.

All pupils have a right to inclusive education and an individual approach that respects their different educational needs, abilities and possibilities, talents, and health status as defined by the Education Act. They have a right to counselling, education-related services, and education organisation appropriate to their age, abilities, interests, and health status. The Constitution of the Slovak Republic (Ústava Slovenskej republiky) also guarantees disabled citizens special support in training for work.

The Slovak Republic committed to comply with the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. By adopting the convention, the Slovak Republic recognised the right of persons with disabilities to education without discrimination based on the principle of equal opportunities in an integrative educational system at all levels and the right to lifelong learning.

Education policies in the Slovak Republic aim to implement and develop inclusion principles. Priorities in this area are defined in the Strategy on Inclusive Approach in Education for Years 2021-2030 (Stratégii inkluzívneho prístupu vo výchove a vzdelávaní na roky 2021-2030):  

• Inclusive education and measures, 
• Counselling system in education, 
• Desegregation in education, 
• Debarierisation of school environment,  
• Training and education of pedagogical and professional employees, and 
• Destigmatisation. 

In its Programme Statement for 2023-2027 (programové vyhlásenie na roky 2023-2027) the Government of the Slovak Republic declares that it will 'strengthen the counselling and prevention system and expand it to all levels of school. It will support the programmes of physical barrier removal in schools and school facilities and make the support of pupils’ and students’ education and career paths at all levels of schools more efficient.'

Overview of support measures and guidance in primary, lower secondary and secondary education

Education of pupils and children with special educational needs is provided by

1. mainstream schools or
2. special schools for pupils with health disadvantages – special schools.

Mainstream schools can establish special classes, usually for children and pupils with the same type of health disadvantage. Education in special classes can partially take place in a class with other pupils. Children or pupils can take some subjects or activities outside the special class

The counselling and prevention system is comprised of:

1. Pedagogical employees
2. Multidisciplinary school support teams
3. Counselling and prevention centres
4. Specialised counselling and prevention centres.

There are two types of centres: 

1. Counselling and prevention centre, which does most professional activities except for the highly specialised ones. It performs diagnostic, reeducation, rehabilitation, preventive programmes, and coordinated multidisciplinary care. Coordinated multidisciplinary care is provided to disabled children as well as to all children regardless of diagnosis. Care in a counselling and prevention centre is provided based on a parent’s, paediatrician’s, school head’s, doctor’s and medical worker’s request or based on the pupil’s request provided they are an adult.
2. Specialised counselling and prevention centre works with children with disabilities. It performs several highly specialised professional activities. Children are assigned to specialised counselling and prevention centres based on the recommendation by counselling and prevention centres, paediatricians, or specialists.

Both types of counselling facilities also provide closer support for school support teams, which provide supportive care to children and youth directly in schools.

Children with special educational needs are admitted to schools based on diagnostic examinations performed at counselling and prevention centres.

Counselling services are also provided to children’s parents and teaching staff free of charge.

Overview of support measures and counselling in higher education

All higher education institutions must provide information and counselling services connected with the study and career to prospective students, their current students, and other people.

Information and counselling services in higher education institutions are one of the students’ legal rights and they are provided free of charge.

Higher education institutions must take support measures to equalise study opportunities in higher education for students with special educational needs.

The same conditions for higher education apply to foreigners and Slovak citizens.

Some higher education institutions provide counselling services in their separate counselling centres, which provide study, career, psychological, social, religious and other types of counselling.

Overview of support measure and counselling in lifelong learning

Counselling services and methodological support in lifelong learning in Slovakia are provided mainly by institutions under the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family as well as by private counselling facilities.