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According to data from the Institute for Economics and Peace, Slovenia ranked 7th out of 163 countries in the 2017 ranking of the world’s safest countries, improving its position by three places compared with the previous year.

The Institute for Economics and Peace assesses safety levels using 23 indicators, including crime rates, relations with neighbouring countries, political terror, arms imports and exports, the number of refugees, homicide rates, and suicide rates. Each indicator is scored on a scale from 1 to 5, with lower scores indicating a higher level of safety.

For the tenth consecutive year, Iceland topped the global ranking, while Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq occupied the bottom positions.

The top 10 safest countries in the world, according to the Institute for Economics and Peace, are:

1. Iceland
2. New Zealand
3. Portugal
4. Austria
5. Denmark
6. Czech Republic
7. Slovenia
8. Canada
9. Switzerland
10. Ireland

Source: siol.net

Slovenia ranked third among EU countries with the lowest share of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion. In 2025, 15.5% of the country’s population was considered at risk.

The best results were recorded in the Czech Republic (11.5%) and Poland (15%).

The highest levels of risk were reported in Bulgaria (29%), Greece, and Romania.

Across the European Union, an average of 20.9% of residents are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, representing 92.7 million people.

Source: primorske.svet24.si

Starting 15 June, the Slovenj Gradec General Hospital is closing part of its internal medicine department, reducing capacity by 10 beds due to an acute shortage of medical staff.

The situation has become critical: both the internal medicine and paediatric departments currently have no heads of department. Several doctors have recently left for outpatient health centres, where working conditions are more favourable — daytime shifts only, without night duties, weekends, or holiday work.

The remaining staff are working under enormous pressure, with some physicians holding multiple positions simultaneously. The problem is compounded by shortcomings in the organization of the emergency care centre, where family physicians are expected to provide cover. In the Koroška region, however, this system functions only during nights and weekends.

Former head of the internal medicine department, Klemen Mojškerc, who stepped down last autumn because of the staffing crisis, warned: “If the hospital does not close itself down, no one else will need to do it.”

Doctors are urging local authorities to take a more active role in finding solutions to the staffing crisis.

Source: rtvslo.si

The application period for enrolment in Slovenian secondary schools for the next academic year has officially ended. A total of 23,580 candidates submitted applications by the 6 May deadline.

Across the country, 65 schools have introduced enrolment limits, including five schools in the Gorenjska region:

• France Prešeren Grammar School in Kranj — economics study programmes and sports classes
• Radovljica Educational Centre — cosmetology and gastronomy with tourism
• Jesenice Secondary School — preschool education
• Radovljica Economic Grammar School — economics technician study programme
• Kranj School Centre — hairdresser, construction technician, nursing technician, and several technical study programmes

Particularly high demand this year was recorded for hairdressing and auto mechanic study programmes. As in previous years, studies in economics, construction, information technology, and healthcare remain highly popular.

Approximately 2,800 places remain available for applicants in the second round of admissions.

Source: gorenjskiglas.si

Students will be able to apply for subsidised accommodation in student dormitories for the 2026/2027 academic year from 1 July. The Ministry of Higher Education has announced 12,883 subsidised places, plus an additional 32 places for students granted international protection.

Key dates:

• Applications open: 1 July 2026
• Deadline for inclusion in the first priority list: 18 August
• Deadline for renewing accommodation: 18 August

Subsidy amounts:

• Public student dormitories: €41.46 per month
• Private student dormitories: €103.36 per month

Eligibility requirements: applicants must have student status, must not be employed, and the distance between their permanent residence and place of study must be at least 25 kilometres. Social circumstances are also considered: the average family income must not exceed 150% of the average salary in Slovenia.

Source: svet24.si

The results of admissions to secondary schools for the 2026/2027 academic year have highlighted a serious issue: young people continue to avoid professions that are most needed by the Slovenian economy. The lowest interest is seen in study programmes related to engineering, construction, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, hospitality, logistics, healthcare, and social services. Although places are available in these study programmes, including slots for international students, many remain unfilled.

Meanwhile, employers continue to face a shortage of qualified workers and technicians. If current enrolment trends continue, the problem is expected to worsen in the coming years. Experts believe that vocational education must become more attractive by strengthening cooperation between schools and employers, modernising equipment, highlighting successful graduate career paths, and promoting vocational schools where students can apply after completing compulsory education.

Many young people avoid these fields because they do not fully understand the nature of the professions, perceive the study programmes as too difficult, or are concerned about specific working conditions. However, statistical assessments show that most students who performed well in mathematics and physics adapt successfully to technical specialties, where labour shortages are particularly severe. In many cases, concerns disappear during the first year of study, when students become familiar with the profession.

Experts are calling on schools to organise more career guidance activities, while companies facing staff shortages are encouraged to promote job opportunities more actively through career fairs and open days at educational institutions.

2TM always helps future students choose educational institutions and study programmes where they have a strong chance of admission, while providing access to high-quality, in-demand qualifications. Students also gain strong opportunities to begin building a successful career during their studies, increasing their chances of securing stable and well-paid employment after graduation.

Source: svet24.si

The intersection of dreams and perseverance gives birth to real success stories.

One of our students, Shakhrier Iskhakov from Uzbekistan, has become a living proof of how education can open doors to the highest level of international interaction.

Last year, Shakhrier entered the University of Ljubljana with the assistance of our team and began to study the Slovenian language at our language school — from zero to B1 level. In a short time, he managed not only to master the language, but also to become a truly integrated participant in the academic and public environment of Slovenia.

On 22 May 2025, Shakhrier found himself at the centre of an important international event — the meeting of the Presidents of Uzbekistan and Slovenia. Thanks to his knowledge of the Slovenian language, he functioned as an intermediary in communication between the leaders of the two countries.

This became not only a personal achievement but also a symbol of how much education can influence your destiny.

During the meeting, the President of Uzbekistan had a personal conversation with Shakhrier, expressing gratitude for his desire for knowledge and the intention to develop projects in the field of artificial intelligence after returning home.

The President’s words were an inspiring message:

“You will become that bridge which will connect the great results achieved here with our people.”

We are proud of Shakhrier and excited to be a part of his life experience. His story is a reminder that even the first step in learning a language can lead to a dialogue at the highest level.

© 2TM d.o.o.

The new public University of Novo Mesto will be entered in the court register by the end of June, acting rector Janez Povh announced during a visit by the Minister of Higher Education, Igor Papič.

Two parallel processes are currently underway: the removal of the private university from the register and the preparation of documents required to transfer staff and students from private faculties to the new public university.

The university will temporarily operate from the municipal administration building, where an official plaque was unveiled yesterday. After the renovation of the Narodni Dom building has been completed in July, the university’s main office will be relocated there. In the longer term, the institution may move to a university campus in the Drgančevje area.

Elections for a new rector are scheduled for September, with the successful candidate assuming office on 1 October. Povh has stated that he does not currently intend to run for a full term. The minister also confirmed that the funding agreement for the university’s first and second years of operation has already been signed.

Source: nova24tv.si

Dejan Korošak has been elected the tenth rector of the University of Maribor. The official election results will be presented on Thursday at a meeting of the university senate.

The new rector will take office on 20 June, when the term of the current rector, Zdravko Kačič, ends.

Voting results:

• Out of 17,685 eligible voters, 915 cast their ballots.
• Academic staff turnout: 77.54%
• Student turnout: 6.5%
• Other staff turnout: 80.63%

Dejan Korošak is a professor and the Head of the Department of Applied Physics at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Transport Engineering and Architecture. He has been working at the university since 2001 and has served as vice-rector since July 2022.

His opponent, Mitja Slavinec, congratulated the winner and wished him success in leading the university.

Source: rtvslo.si

The 68th edition of the “Path Along the Wire” event is taking place in the Slovenian capital. It is one of the country’s largest sports and recreational events, dedicated to the 81st anniversary of the city’s liberation.

The route, nearly 35 kilometres long, follows the line where Italian occupying forces erected barbed-wire barriers and more than 100 bunkers during World War II.

The event is expected to attract large numbers of participants:

• Nearly 9,000 children are expected today
• 20,000 pupils are expected on Friday
• More than 20,000 visitors and tourists are expected on Saturday if weather conditions are favourable

In 2025, a total of 44,254 people participated in various activities during the three-day event.

On Saturday, the traditional “Three-Member Team Run” will also take place over distances of 12.5 km and 20 km, where teams of threes must complete the entire course together.

Source: 24ur.com

A total of 7,251 candidates have begun taking the Matura, the final secondary-school examinations in Slovenia. The first test was an essay in the Slovenian language, for which pupils were given 120 minutes.

This year’s topic marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ivan Cankar, one of the classics of Slovenian literature. Pupils were required to study his novel On the Slope and a contemporary interpretation of the work.

The examination results will be announced on 13 July. Last year, the average essay score was 32.31 out of a possible 50 points.

Source: rtvslo.si

The Statistical Office of Slovenia has published data on the number of pupils in the 2025/26 academic year. A total of 79,868 children are enrolled in kindergartens, which is 2,544 fewer than last year. The decline was recorded in both age groups: enrolment among younger children fell by 3.4%, while the number of older preschool children decreased by 2.9%.

At the same time, 94% of children attend public kindergartens. Primary schools have 192,915 pupils, which is 1.4% fewer than in the previous year. It is particularly noteworthy that only 19,885 children entered first grade, the lowest figure in the past 13 years. Among first-grade pupils, 12% are seven-year-olds who started school one year later than their peers.

The only increase was recorded in secondary education, with 86,624 pupils, up 3.3% compared with last year. The data also show that 74% of boys choose vocational education programmes, compared with 57% of girls. The demographic decline is especially evident in primary education.

Source: rtvslo.si