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Beneficiaries of international protection are entitled to the same rights regarding pre-school, primary, secondary, higher and adult education as nationals.[1] They are also entitled to state scholarships and accommodation in student dormitories under the same conditions as nationals.[2] Asylum-seeking children enjoy unimpeded access to the education system (see Reception Conditions: Access to Education) and are, therefore, normally already enrolled in the education system before they are granted international protection status. Special needs of children are taken into consideration the same way as Slovenian students’.
Same as for Slovenian nationals, elementary and high schools are free for children beneficiaries of international protection. Elementary school for adults is also free of charge. Elementary school for adults is organised by Javni zavod Cene Štupar, where students are placed in a suitable class, based on initial testing of their knowledge level. They can then complete two regular school years per year. High school for adults requires tuition. Universities are mostly free in Slovenia.
If beneficiaries do not have their own means of subsistence and have signed the integration contract other costs related to participation in the regular education program and elementary school for adults can be covered by the UOIM for up to 2 years.[3]
Costs related to recognition and assessment of education attained abroad can be covered by the UOIM if the person signed the integration contract and does not have their own means of subsistence. UOIM covers the cost for one year after the integration has been signed. This period can be prolonged for an additional year if the person attended 80% of Slovenian language classes and visited the integration social worker once per month.[4] In case the attained education cannot be proven with documentation, a system for official testing is set up in a Decree.[5]
Furthermore, beneficiaries of international protection are entitled to a free Slovenian language course of 300 hours, which can be extended for further 100 hours, subject to approval of the UOIM.[6]
The Integration strategy adopted in 2023 envisages additional measures to ensure better linguistic integration of foreigners including renovation of the Program for the initial integration of foreigners, establishing new language programs for vulnerable groups, enlarging the number of language course hours, enabling individuals to attend the language classes during their working hours, etc. In addition, the Integration strategy envisages measures that will improve the integration of foreigners in education. The measures include additional language hours in primary school and secondary school, additional learning support, employment of needed staff, etc.[7]
[1] Article 101(1) IPA.
[2] Article 101(2) IPA.
[3] Article 101(4) IPA.
[4] Article 101(3) IPA.
[5] Articles 23-42 and 34 Decree on the methods and conditions for ensuring the rights of persons with international protection.
[6] Article 103 IPA and Article 49 Decree on the methods and conditions for ensuring the rights of persons with international protection.
[7] Government of Slovenia, Strategy for integration of foreigners, who are not citizens of European Union into the cultural, economic and social life in the Republic of Slovenia, 10 November 2023, available at: https://bit.ly/3v0lIfI.