1. When will the enrollment dates for secondary schools be announced?

The Minister of Science and Education issues a Decision on the elements and criteria for the selection of candidates for enrollment in the first grade of secondary school for each school year. This Decision is published on the official website of the Ministry of Science and Education.

2. What are the conditions for enrollment in the first grade of secondary school?

The condition for enrollment in the first grade of secondary school is the completion of primary education. Enrollment is carried out electronically via the National Information System for Applications and Enrollment in Secondary Schools (NISpuSŠ).

To register in the system (NISpuSŠ), you must obtain a username and password from the administrator of either your primary school, secondary school, or the Central Registration Office, depending on your situation:

• if you have just finished the 8th grade of primary school (from your primary school administrator),
• if you are in the first grade of secondary school but will not successfully complete it and wish to re-enroll in the first grade (from your secondary school administrator),
• if you withdrew from the first grade of secondary school and wish to re-enroll (via the Central Registration Office),
• or if you completed primary school abroad or in another education system (via the Central Registration Office).

3. Which subjects are graded for enrollment in the first grade of secondary school?

The subjects that are graded are specified in the enrollment call published on the School’s website.

4. What is considered an unexcused absence?

According to Article 4 of the Regulation on Criteria for Imposing Educational Measures (Official Gazette no. 94/2015):

1. An educational measure may be imposed due to unexcused absences from classes.
2. An unexcused absence is one for which no medical note or note from the relevant institution, signed by a parent, has been submitted to the homeroom teacher.
3. An absence is not considered unexcused if the parent has requested and received approval in advance, as follows:
   • in urgent cases, verbally from the teacher for absence from their class,
   • in writing from the homeroom teacher for up to 3 working days, from the principal for up to 7 working days, and from the teachers’ council for up to 15 working days.
4. During the school year, parents may personally or in writing excuse their child’s absence (without a doctor’s note as defined in item 2) for a maximum of three non-consecutive working days.
5. Methods of justifying absences, deadlines for submitting notes, and appropriate deadlines for informing the school of reasons for absence are regulated by the School Statute.

According to Article 101 of the School Statute, an excused absence is considered as follows:

• An absence is excused if a medical note or note from the relevant institution signed by the parent/guardian is delivered to the homeroom teacher no later than the second day after the student returns to school. The parent/guardian must inform the homeroom teacher of the reason for the absence no later than the second day of the absence.
• An absence is also excused if the parent/guardian requested and received approval in advance, as follows:
  • in urgent cases, verbally from the teacher for absence from their class,
  • in writing from the homeroom teacher for up to 3 working days, from the principal for up to 7 working days, and from the teachers’ council for up to 15 working days.
• Parents/guardians may, personally or in writing, excuse their child’s absence (without a doctor’s note as defined above) for a maximum of three working days during the school year, provided the days are not consecutive.

5. Are students of four-year vocational schools required to take the state matura exam?

Students who complete a four-year vocational education program are not required to take the state matura exams unless they plan to continue their studies at a university or higher education institution.

6. Are students required to attend the state matura exams they have registered for?

Yes. If they do not attend, a financial fee is charged in accordance with the decision of the National Center for External Evaluation of Education. Exemptions from this fee are defined in the Regulation on Taking the State Matura Exam.