The Adult Education Act in practice: What was said at the APZD round table?

We therefore organised a round table to introduce participants to the key procedures, requirements and tools related to the implementation of the new Adult Education Act. We focused in particular on companies that are looking for a way to get involved in the new system.

Discussion with experts

The invitation was accepted by Ildikó Pathóová from the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the SR and Vladimír Pálfi from the Alliance of Sector Councils. The topics were the specific requirements for entering the system, the possibilities of involvement for employers and the planned steps from the state's point of view. The presentation focused on the facts and on answers to questions that repeatedly arise in the practical application of the act.

Where to get information?

For those who want to follow the developments and specific steps related to the application of the act in practice in more detail, the main source of information is the website of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the SR. It is there that the ministry publishes up-to-date information concerning the adult education system.

The Adult Education Information System (ISVD) provides those interested in entering the system with access to instructional manuals. These explain how to submit an application for registration in the register of certified educational institutions, how to proceed with an application for the accreditation of an educational programme, or how to carry out the verification of educational outcomes.

In addition to technical instructions, the ISVD also provides information on the schedule for the introduction of the act and regularly publishes an overview of planned webinars on related topics. The nearest webinar focused on the topic „How to submit an application for the accreditation of an educational programme?“ is scheduled for 27 May 2025.

Individual education accounts

The system will gradually be supplemented with further components. From 1 January 2026, an offer of certified educational institutions that will provide courses and educational programmes within individual education accounts (IVÚ) will be available. Full functionality of the IVÚ platform is expected from April 2026.

Financing of education

A citizen who becomes entitled to a financial contribution in the amount of 200 euros will be able to divide this sum and use it, for example, also for career counselling or for the verification of outcomes from completed education. The contribution will be paid directly to the education provider on the basis of the citizen's consent. The financing of courses will be combined – the citizen, the employer and the state will all participate in it.

Certification

Certification of educational institutions will be possible to obtain on the basis of demonstrating a quality assurance system. This may be, for example, a valid ISO certificate, but also a self-assessment report or an improvement plan. The system will assign the self-assessment report to an expert evaluator, who will draw up an assessment. After incorporating any comments, the institution will be notified of its registration in the register of certified providers. Those interested can address questions concerning certification to the e-mail address certifikacia@epivu.sk.

Accreditation

Accreditation of an educational programme is required in the case that the programme leads to obtaining a professional qualification defined in the qualification card. If the qualification card is not available, it is necessary to request its creation from the Alliance of Sector Councils even before submitting the actual application for accreditation.

The deadline for issuing an opinion on an application for accreditation is 60 days from the delivery or supplementation of the application. The opinion is prepared by the Alliance of Sector Councils and delivered to the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the SR.

Do you need to find your way around? We are happy to help

If you run into ambiguities or need help finding your way around the new rules, you can turn to us. We follow the developments, collect questions from practice and are happy to help you find answers.