Learning City Bratislava Activities

Training Programs Peaceful Victories

The innovative training program “Peaceful Victories”, comprising 50 hours, is designed for teaching and professional staff of primary schools, primary art schools, and leisure-time centres operating in the territory of the Capital City of Bratislava. The training program was prepared at the request of Bratislava as part of the Learning City Bratislava initiative and responds to recommendations from the analysis “How are you doing, teachers of Bratislava?”, which highlighted the need for systematic support of teachers’ mental health. The training program focuses on strengthening psychological resilience, preventing burnout, developing social and emotional skills, and enhancing the ability to cope with stressful situations. The training program includes an in-person workshop, webinars with psychotherapists, and a remote assignment. Participation in the training program is free of charge thanks to funding from the capital city. The aim of the training program is to support the well-being and personal development of teachers, which has a direct positive impact on their work with students.

Training Programs The Art with Ease

Training programs are intended for teachers of primary art schools (ZUŠ) in Bratislava and are organized by Inklucentrum from August to December 2025. The project was created at the request of the Capital City of Bratislava as part of the Learning City Bratislava agenda and directly responds to the recommendations from the analysis “How are you doing, teachers of Bratislava?” prepared by the Centre for Educational Analyses. The content focuses on inclusive education — psychoeducation, creating a safe environment, methods of working with children with special needs, non-violent communication, as well as consultations and mentoring. All training sessions are free of charge for art school teachers in Bratislava thanks to the support of the city. The aim is to provide practical tools and expert guidance that contribute to easier and more effective inclusive teaching in music, visual arts, and dance education. More information is available at: https://inklucentrum.sk/zus/. ↗︎

Analysis: How are you doing, teachers of Bratislava?

Analysis was commissioned by the Capital City of Bratislava as part of the Learning City Bratislava agenda and carried out by the independent organization Centre for Educational Analyses.

As part of the research, 258 teachers from primary schools and primary art schools operating in the territory of Bratislava participated in a questionnaire survey. The largest group consisted of lower secondary (2nd stage) teachers, followed by primary (1st stage) teachers and staff from elementary art schools. Data collection took place between November and December 2024, with respondents from various city districts. In addition to the questionnaire, focus groups were conducted with principals and teaching staff from both primary and elementary art schools, which made it possible to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges teachers face. The research also included an analysis of relevant administrative data.

The main findings show that teachers’ salaries are among the lowest relative to the average wage in the region, with 94 % of teachers dissatisfied with their income and nearly 90 % stating that it does not cover their living costs. The study also highlights high turnover, stressful working conditions (noise, administrative workload, substituting for absent colleagues), and challenging environments with larger numbers of pupils, including pupils from abroad. In conclusion, the authors recommend measures to improve the funding of education in the Capital City of Bratislava (e.g., various benefits for teachers), support mental health, reduce administrative burdens, develop school leadership, and more.