Drucker: Better Remuneration of Education Workers Priority for Ministry

Bratislava, January 7 (TASR) - Better remuneration of employees in education, reducing the age of compulsory pre-school attendance to three years of age, optimising the network of primary and secondary schools, and creating a plan for integrating artificial intelligence into the education system are the priorities of the Education Ministry in 2025, stated Education Minister Tomas Drucker (Voice-SD) at a press conference on Tuesday. "We need to reach a clear social agreement on better financial remuneration because Slovak teachers and their average salaries when compared to the salaries of university-educated people are at the bottom of the European Union," said the minister. He is confident, however, that this year will bring a fundamental change in this area, stating that an agreement with the Education Trade Union is close. Another priority is gradual compulsory enrolment of children in nursery schools starting at the age of four, and eventually at three. According to Drucker, Slovak education has long faced the problem of inequalities affecting children's life chances. "Children from poorer families have poorer results, which makes it harder for them to succeed in the future. The key to change is quality pre-school education," he explained. The ministry also considers it important this year to prepare a plan for integrating artificial intelligence into the education system in order to make teachers' work easier, support students and make the entire system more efficient. lin/df