Slovakia Primary 4 Curriculum - Religious or Ethics

Slovakia Primary 4 students can choose between Religious Education and Ethics Education. Religious Education is confessional and compulsory for those who choose it. Ethics Education is compulsory for students who do not attend Religious Education.

Religious Education

Religious Education in Slovakia is confessional. The Framework Education Program for the subject of Catholic Religion/Religious Education exists for pre-primary education, encompassing education within the family and other settings. Autonomous learning is a key aspect of Religious Education in Slovakia. As of June 2024, there is a focus on creating a new model of the RE curriculum structure for primary and secondary schools based on competence-based learning and “cross” curriculum approaches.

Ethics Education

Ethics Education is a compulsorily optional subject in primary and secondary schools. The curriculum aims to develop a personality with a strong identity, internalized ethical standards, mature moral judgment, and the ability to cooperate. The curriculum includes sixteen topics, ten basic and six applied, focusing on areas such as open communication, self-esteem, empathy, assertiveness, and family. The Slovak Ethical Education Project, introduced as a major initiative of the post-communist state, emphasizes pro-social values and personal development. As of December 2013, the subject is taught one lesson per week. For religion or ethics classes, students from different classes in the same grade may be combined into groups of up to 20 pupils.