Slovakia, a pioneer in financial literacy
Financial literacy is a top priority in Slovakia. The country as undertaken numerous initiatives in this field, and TAXEDU has helped it along the way.
Slovakia has shown a growing interest towards financial literacy, which is recognised among the most important determinants of financial well-being. It started with the publication of a resolution introducing financial management into the national education strategy.
Resolution No. 447, known as the National Standard of Financial Literacy, was published on 2 July 2008. It states that the Deputy Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic and the Minister of Education are in charge of elaborating the standard of financial literacy and to implement the strategy of education in the financial area and management of personal finances.
The resolution was updated in 2013 when the Ministry of Education submitted to the government a report on the state of education that aimed to support the development of financial literacy. It was subsequently recommended that teachers in Slovakia should know the basic rules for personal financial management, to use financial services effectively and to understand basic definitions in the area of finances.
To make sure teachers and educators accomplish their mission, the resolution also outlines rules for evaluation.
Financial literacy committee
What is more, Slovakia also created a financial literacy committee within the Ministry of Education, which gathers governmental and non-governmental organisations, banks or insurance companies.
Slovak national authorities joined this committee in 2014, highlighting the importance of financial literacy in education. They also introduced TAXEDU to the other members of the committee in September 2017, further expanding the audience of the web-portal.
Workshops for teachers
Skills in the field of financial literacy are considered an important part of a teacher’s portfolio. On 30 May 2019, the Academy of Financial Administration organised a workshop for teachers and education coordinators. Unfortunately, the lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has not allowed any physical meetings or other activities to take place in 2020. The Slovakian TAXEDU promoters hope to resume activities as soon as it is safe to do so.
Future workshops will be announced on the website of the Financial Administration.
Public promotions
Since the launch of the TAXEDU portal in 2017, Slovakia has been among its most active fans. A Facebook post about TAXEDU was published on 12 July 2017. More social media campaigning followed suit. Slovakia’s national authorities also showcased the TAXEDU portal in a TV commercial that aired on 24 November 2017. A press release presenting TAXEDU was also disseminated on the “School Service” portal (administered by the public Press Agency of Slovakia) for the attention of educational institutes and school facilities.
Articles were also published on the website of the Methodological and Pedagogical Centre & State Vocational Educational Institute. The online “Teaching Newspaper” also promoted the TAXEDU portal.
In addition to this massive media coverage, Slovakia's national authorities have been in contact with the Ministry of Education to help promoting TAXEDU among school.
Useful resources
Read the news item presenting the workshops organised by the Slovak Financial Administration.
Browse our training catalogue in tax education.