Education Ministry: 9,882 Ukrainian Refugees Attending Slovak Schools

Bratislava, 29 July (TASR) - A total of 9,882 Ukrainian refugees are enrolled at Slovak schools, according to administrative data from the Education Ministry's information system as of 30 June 2026. The figure covers all nursery, primary and secondary schools, including special schools. "If a refugee who was a student at a Slovak school in the 2025/2026 school year completed their studies before 30 June 2026, they aren't included in this figure," noted the ministry. The ministry added that many pupils/students who came to Slovakia due to the war have since obtained temporary or permanent residence, meaning that they are no longer included in the figures for refugees. However, in most cases, they continue to attend schools. The ministry said that when it comes to placing children from Ukraine in Slovak schools, there's no definitive 'rejection' of an application in practice. "A headteacher of a nursery, primary or secondary school may refuse to enroll or admit a child from Ukraine solely due to insufficient capacity (while respecting the maximum number of pupils per class). In such a case, the headteacher is obliged to inform the child's legal guardian, the municipality in which the child resides or has temporary refuge, and the relevant regional school administration office. The office will then arrange an alternative - it communicates with school heads and determines a school where the child will receive education," said the ministry. ko/df