Croatia Has 466,000 Students, 2,000 Fewer Than in Previous Years

Croatia has about 466,000 pupils in primary and secondary schools this academic year, including around 36,500 first-graders. Education Minister Radovan Fuchs said the number of first-graders remains at last year’s level, while the total number of pupils has fallen by about 2,000 compared with previous years. Final enrollment figures will follow once all data enter the information system.

Speaking at the opening of an extension to Stobreč Primary School in Split, Fuchs said the government aims to ensure that all children attend school in a single shift by 2030. The state will provide funding for that goal. He said pupils would also find renovated spaces, new rules on mobile-phone use and higher levels of school security this year.

Fuchs said primary schools now employ more than 1,000 specialist staff and people responsible for security, while secondary schools have about 500. The e-Diary system now allows more direct communication between parents and teachers. Physical and health education teachers will also enter pupils’ physical measurements twice a year, with the data available to parents to help track obesity and progress in physical activity.

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The security of schools has definitely been raised to a much higher level. We have never had more specialist staff and employees responsible for security.

The minister also discussed mobile-phone rules introduced in the second half of the previous school year. “As principals tell us, the second half of the year in primary schools was more cheerful, with more socializing and more interaction among children without mobile phones,” Fuchs said.

Split Mayor Tomislav Šuta wished pupils, especially first-graders, a successful start to the school year and thanked those involved in the Stobreč project. He said the city was preparing four central kitchens for possible European grant funding, with the aim of providing hot meals to all primary school pupils, and planned further investment in several Split schools.

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As principals tell us, the second half of the year in primary schools was more cheerful, with more socializing and more interaction among children without mobile phones.