Fifty teachers from secondary and primary schools from all over Slovakia actively discussed and shared their experiences on the topic - how to get more education about European topics into their current school education programs and how to strengthen European awareness in young people.

The seminar of the State Pedagogical Institute (ŠPÚ) and the Representation of the European Commission (ZEK) in Slovakia: "The European dimension in education within the Slovak Republic" on October 23 at the Rector's Hall of the Comenius University in Bratislava brought the necessary information, suggestions, feedback and promises of solutions for the future.

The participants of the seminar were initially welcomed by: Dušan Chrenek, head of the Representation of the European Commission; Igor Gallus from the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sports of the Slovak Republic; the rector of the Comenius University in Bratislava Karol Mičieta and Petra Fridrichova from ŠPÚ. Dagmar Horná from the Department of Political Science of the Charles University and Kálmán Petőcz from ŠPÚ subsequently moderated the two panels.

The topic of the first panel discussion within the seminar was about the current situation - how is it with the European dimension in education within the Slovak Republic. Dušan Chrenek compared Slovakia with some EU member states. He noted that "in last year's elections to the European Parliament, the Slovak Republic had a historically low voter turnout. The 3 percent participation of students was particularly alarming. Education about the EU in primary and secondary schools can help significantly change this unflattering result." He emphasized that knowledge about the EU will help students make better use of European rights and opportunities.

The second speaker in the panel: Kalmán Petőcz spoke about visiting schools within the regional rounds of the Human Rights Olympiad. During interviews with young people at specific secondary schools, he was surprised by the fact that many male and female students express themselves in racist and xenophobic ways, although they may not even realize it. Education for citizenship (not only European) could change this situation. Third speaker: Jozef Bátora worked abroad for a long time as a teacher and researcher, focusing on research into EU integration and European studies. He wishes to implement the milestones of European history and important personalities of the EU in subjects such as literature, history and social studies, not only as a university teacher, but also as a father for a better future and education of his sons.

Active pressure from below: from the Platform of Teachers for Europe

The second panel discussion already related to future visions, plans (and possible obstacles) in the integration of education about the EU into teaching in Slovak schools. Roman Balko presented the requirements of the until recently informal Platform of Teachers for Europe: "Teachers and Teachers for Europe" (today the formal organization TEUS, n.o.) to the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sports of the Slovak Republic.

An example of good practice from the neighboring Czech Republic was not forgotten (the EU game project / www.euhrou.cz and specific education modules about the EU from the workshop of the Czech Center for Civic Education). Mária Rychnavská presented the attestation process as well as the possibilities for further education of teachers on behalf of the Methodological and Pedagogical Center. The participants were also greeted by MEP Ivan Štefanec, who mentioned his experiences from his trips to Slovak schools, as well as the needs and suggestions of teachers heading to European institutions.

Develop social and civic competences in young people

The last speaker of the panel on proposals to change the current education system in Slovakia was Darina De Jaegher from ŠPÚ. She presented to those present the National Project of ŠPÚ as a level model of the central curriculum in accordance with the European reference framework for lifelong learning. According to her, "the goal of such a complex project towards an open and inclusive school with a special focus on the development of specific social and civic competences requires the enormous involvement of all groups participating in the implementation of educational policy.

Such a seminar is therefore an excellent space for obtaining ideas, reactions and incorporating notes into the project activities." The event for Slovak pedagogues successfully contributed to the discussion about the quality of general education and its improvement in the context of the development of European education policy and European awareness. All participants agreed that they would like to welcome such meetings in the future.

Text and photo: Bozena Markovič Baluchová