Sports classes

Some upper secondary general education schools (gimnazije) provide an adapted sports programme to cater for the needs of students gifted athletes who take part in national and/or international competitions. The emphasis is on aligning school and sports obligations in terms of organisation of instruction, assessment, and grading, as well as the progression of students. Also, the number of lessons in increased. Sports classes aim to provide conditions for promising athletes that allow young and talented students to be successful in both arenas – sports and education.

Education programmes in ethnically mixed areas

According to the Act Regulating Special Rights of Members of the Italian and Hungarian Ethnic Communities in the Field of Education schools in ethnically mixed areas implement the adapted programmes that foster the preservation and development of the Italian and Hungarian language and culture, knowledge of national history, as well as awareness of belonging to the relevant national community.

In the area of the Italian ethnic community, there are two optional provisions in upper secondary education: Slovenian-medium of instruction and students learn Italian; or Italian-medium of instruction and students learn Slovenian.

In the area of the Hungarian ethnic community, upper secondary schools provide bilingual instruction, namely, lessons are delivered in Slovenian and Hungarian simultaneously.

International programmes

Along with the public programmes, a few public upper secondary schools implement international programmes, too. The provision is governed by the Implementation of International Education Programmes Act.

Some Slovenian gimnazije have been implementing the International Baccalaureate programme (Geneva, Switzerland) for nearly three decades. The 2-year programme is available to Slovenian students in years 3 and 4 of the gimanzija programme. Graduates of the programme can apply for any tertiary education programme in Slovenia, as well as several other in the world.

Gimnazija Bežigrad is the only gimnazija that provides the complete upper secondary International Baccalaureate programme to children of foreign citizens in diplomacy, commerce, etc.

In 2018, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia established the European School Ljubljana. It is the only school that implements the European Schools international programme. It is open to children whose parents are employees of the Agency for cooperation of energy regulators (ACER), European Commission representation in the Republic of Slovenia, and the European Parliament Information Offices, as well as other foreign citizens residing in Slovenia.

The European School is set up as part of the School Center Ljubljana and caters to two language sections, Slovenian and English. The programme takes 12 years to complete: 5-year primary education, 7-year secondary education. At the end of education, students take the European Baccalaureate (EB). The operations of the European school are governed by the Rules on the implementation of European Schools programmes. The first entry of students in the secondary cycle was in the 2020/2021 school year, first matura will be in the 2024/2025 school year.

Master craftsman, foreman and shop manager exam

Candidates can take master craftsman, foreman or shop manager exam. If they pass, they obtain upper secondary technical education.

The candidates take the master craftsman exam (mojstrski izpit) before the examination committee with a four-year term. The committee is appointed by the minister of education on the recommendation of the Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia.

The master craftsman exam is open to candidates with:

• upper secondary vocational educational qualification and at least three years of relevant work experience
• upper secondary technical educational qualification and at least two years of relevant work experience
• short-cycle higher vocational education and at least one year of relevant work experience.

The candidates take foreman and shop manager exam before the examination committees nominated by the Minister of education on the recommendation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia or relevant business associations and enterprises.

All who pass the exam receive a title foremen or shop manager in a special commercial activity and a relevant certificate of passing the exam.

Foreman and shop manager exams are open to candidates with upper secondary vocational educational qualification and at least three years of relevant work experience.

Masters, foremen and shop managers can enter the short cycle higher vocational education provided they pass two additional exams in core academic subjects of matura examination (Slovenian language and mathematics or foreign language).