Teachers, Teacher Education, and Professional Development
Teacher Education Specific to Mathematics and Science
Teachers are required to have a university degree, pedagogical education, and certification. They obtain their education through required university study, induction, and professional development. Primary school teachers study primary education at schools of education at one of the three universities offering the program in Slovenia. Elementary school specialist teachers can acquire their degree in educational mathematics and science studies at schools of education or schools of science within universities. They also may complete a degree in mathematics, chemistry, biology, or physics with additional pedagogical coursework.
During university study, prospective teachers gain teaching experience by participating in and teaching actual classroom lessons. In addition, they must pass a practical examination in classroom teaching. After finishing university, prospective teachers apply for a school-year-long induction period of teaching in a school, working under the supervision of mentor teachers. At the end of the induction period, prospective teachers must pass the national certification examination (covering subject teaching, policies, and laws). Once certified, they may apply for regular teaching jobs.
Requirements for Ongoing Professional Development
The Ministry of Education, Science, and Sport offers or financially supports many forms of professional development programs for teachers: thematic conferences, regular teacher workshops organized by the National Education Institute, licensing courses, and subject matter training courses at universities and other educational institutions. The ministry motivates teachers to participate in lifelong learning by linking teachers’ salaries to a three-tiered national system of promotion—mentor, adviser, and senior specialist. A teacher may apply for promotion every four to five years on the basis of points earned through a variety of activities: participating in professional development or other educational programs, writing articles or textbooks, overseeing school projects or mentoring students in Young Researcher programs, or preparing students for competitions. Teachers have the right to participate in professional development programs for five days per year, but many do not take advantage of this. Programs are not free and due to financial shortages at schools, the participation of teachers has decreased in recent years.