Inclusion and Work with Immigrant Children in Preschools and Schools in Slovenia: An Analysis of the Current Situation

The project »Inclusion and Work with Immigrant Children in Preschools and Schools in Slovenia: An Analysis of the Current Situation« was prepared as part of the project Analytical Centre, co-funded by the Republic of Slovenia, the Ministry of Education, and the European Union – NextGenerationEU, Recovery and Resilience Plan, Development Area: C3 – Smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, component: C3 K5 – Strengthening competencies, especially digital ones and those required by new professions and the green transition, C3.K12. IE / Comprehensive transformation (sustainability and resilience) of green and digital education.

The analysis of the current situation was conducted by the ZRC SAZU, Slovenian Migration Institute, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Slovenia. The main objective of the project was to analyze the current situation regarding the inclusion of immigrant children in preschools, elementary schools, and high schools in the Republic of Slovenia, and thereby contribute to the creation of a more inclusive and supportive educational environment for all children in Slovenia.

Quantitative and qualitative studies were conducted. Twelve educational organizations participated in the qualitative study (Vižintin & Milharčič Hladnik, 2025, Research Report 1 / RP1). The quantitative study (Gostič & Vižintin, 2025, Research Report / RP2) included 519 educational institutions, representing 50.4% of Slovenian preschools, elementary schools, and high schools.

The full analysis, titled “Inclusion and Work with Immigrant Children in Preschools and Schools in Slovenia: An Analysis of the Current Situation: Final Research Report” [VIŽINTIN, Marijanca Ajša (ed.). (2026). Vključevanje in delo z otroki priseljenci v vrtcih in šolah v Sloveniji: analiza stanja: končno raziskovalno poročilo], which was conducted within the framework of the Analytical Center of the Ministry of Education and Training, is available on the website www.zakakovost.si. The analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the current situation regarding the inclusion of immigrant children in preschools, elementary schools, and high schools, and is based on an extensive quantitative study and an in-depth qualitative study conducted in selected educational institutions. It addresses key areas: 1) ensuring a safe and supportive intercultural learning environment, 2) the teaching and organization of introductory Slovenian language instruction, and 3) the necessary competencies of professional staff. It presents examples of best practices and proposals for systemic improvements, https://zakakovost.si/files/2026/02/Analiza_priseljenci.pdf

Preliminary results of the project were also presented in the National Assembly on October 28, 2025, specifically at the 41st emergency joint session of the Committee on Education, Science, and Youth and the 66th emergency session of the Committee on Internal Affairs, Public Administration, and Local Self-Government. The agenda item was: “Has the integration of foreigners into society failed because of the Slovenian language, and how has the government let schools and teachers down?” The session was recorded: https://365.rtvslo.si/arhiv/skupne-seje-delovnih-teles-drzavnega-zbora/175170325, (ZRC SAZU, 2.09.30-2.27.20).