News digest: Teachers to be graded like students, with the best-rated receiving bonuses
Good evening. Here is the Friday, June 6 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Teachers to be paid more – but only if they make the grade
In a significant reform of Slovakia’s education system, teachers will be assessed annually using a five-grade scale – mirroring how they themselves evaluate students – and their pay will increasingly depend on these evaluations. The move is part of a government plan to boost teacher motivation and address longstanding criticisms of stagnating pay and lack of performance-based rewards in the school system, the Sme daily reported.
The change, introduced by Education Minister Tomáš Drucker (Hlas), comes alongside a promised 7-percent salary increase from September 2025 and another pay rise in January 2026.
From January 2026, all primary and secondary school teachers will receive a modest flat-rate bonus regardless of evaluation. But from September 2027, only those rated "excellent" or "very good" will qualify for performance-based bonuses. A starting teacher with a base salary of €1,305 could earn up to €650 more each month under the new scheme.
Who will evaluate teachers?
"We can’t pretend that all teachers are excellent,” said Eva Horníková, head of a Bratislava primary school and president of the Association of Primary Schools. “We cannot reward everyone equally, as the unions demand.”
The reform is meant to respond to concerns that Slovakia’s education system is too egalitarian in pay, providing no incentives for better performance. Schools will be given freedom to set their own evaluation criteria, though unions worry this will open the door to favouritism and lack of transparency.
“This gives too much power to principals to reward only a few,” said union leader Pavel Ondek, arguing that higher base pay would be a more equitable solution. Critics also fear that bonuses could be handed out based on personal relationships rather than merit. “Every system can be abused,” Horníková acknowledged, though she still called the reform “a powerful management tool.”
The government has allocated €132.5 million for the new bonus scheme in 2026. The school inspection service will be tasked with ensuring fair implementation.
The reform reflects broader efforts to retain teachers amid regional pay disparities and an ongoing teacher shortage, particularly in urban areas like Bratislava and Košice. Analysts say the new system could improve motivation – but only if implemented transparently and fairly.
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FEATURE STORY
Slovak teen wins $100,000 for breakthrough in antiviral drug research
Nineteen-year-old Slovak teenager Adam Kovalčík from Dulovce emerged ahead of over 1,600 students worldwide to win the top prize at the world’s largest science fair – the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Using corn husk waste, he made a key antiviral drug cheaper, faster to produce, and even more effective. Read on to learn more, and to discover our other feel-good stories , designed to brighten your day.
EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
Bratislava’s parks and gardens are waiting for you
From June 6–8, Bratislava joins over 500 parks and gardens in 23 European countries for the Open Parks and Gardens Weekend. This year’s theme, Stone in the Garden, highlights the beauty and purpose of stone in garden design. Public and private gardens – some normally closed to visitors – will open their gates, offering a rare chance to discover hidden green spaces across the city. Click here to learn more about this free event and explore the map of participating gardens – and also discover two other free things to do this weekend.
IN OTHER NEWS
WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND: Slovakia will experience hot and humid weather, with occasional cloud cover and scattered showers, some of which may be intense. Daytime temperatures on Saturday are expected to range from 28°C to 33°C. On Sunday, temperatures in most places will cool slightly, ranging from 18°C to 25°C. However, some southern and eastern regions could still see highs of up to 32°C. The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) has issued a Level 1 heat warning for Banská Bystrica, Nitra and Košice Regions on Saturday. In addition, a Level 1 thunderstorm warning is in effect for Nitra Region. A Level 2 thunderstorm warning has been issued for western and northwestern Slovakia, including Bratislava, Trenčín, Trnava and Žilina Regions. On Sunday, weather warnings will remain in effect and will extend to cover the entire eastern part of the country. ( SHMÚ )
WEEKEND PARTY TIME: This weekend, Róbert and Róberta, Medard and — last but not least — Stanislava are marking their name days. Don’t forget to send your best wishes: Róbert and Róberta on Saturday (7 June), Medard on Sunday (8 June), and Stanislava on Monday (9 June).
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