Ministry of Defence launches unique dual education project in partnership with Sečovce Joint School
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- Date: 16.01.2025
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The Ministry of Defence has brought a pilot dual education project into life in partnership with the Sečovce Joint School. Its Secondary Vocational Technology and Services School is expanding the Personal and Property Security Study Programme by taking on an extra class of 30 students to specialise in the military profession in the coming school year 2025/2026. On successful completion of the secondary school leaving examination, they will be fully prepared for service in the Slovak Armed Forces. To future secondary school students, this unique 4-year dual education programme offers a balanced mix of theory and work experience, delivered in cooperation with SVK Armed Forces units, with the aim of training students for a prestigious career in the Armed Forces.
Speaking at a press conference, Secretary General of the MOD Service Office Peter Krajčírovič said: “We offer young people a host of advantages that will prepare them for life in a quality way. For students and their parents, it is important that this study programme secures not only an excellent career opportunity, but also substantial financial relief. The costs that families would otherwise have to bear are covered in full by the Ministry of Defence. In addition, every month the students will be better off financially thanks to a placement in a SVK Armed Forces unit, as well as receiving other financial and material benefits.”
Among the significant benefits are accommodation, meal, school essentials, and clothing allowances – which will greatly reduce the financial burden on parents, free medical and psychological examinations, a financial benefit of up to 80 euros a month for the completed work placement in a SVK Armed Forces unit under the dual education framework, and pocket money of 100 euros a month, Director General of the MOD Personnel and Social Affairs Dept Martin Rímeš said, adding, “Ultimately, there is an opportunity for the students to continue their studies at the General M. R. Štefánik Armed Forces Academy Liptovský Mikuláš, and, after graduation, their Initial Military Training will be shortened from seven to two weeks.”
Rastislav Trnka, Chairman of the Košice Self-Governing Region, said: “While 184 students were involved in the dual education system in the 2018/2019 school year, five years on, in the 2023/2024 school year, there were already 1,536 students. This means that almost every sixth student of the Košice Zhupa (District) schools studies in the dual education system. That is why I am pleased to say that with the Personal and Property Security Study Programme at “our school”, we will be the first in Slovakia to have a dual education project with the Ministry of Defence. I wish Slovakia’s first military secondary school class a lot of successful students, and I wish the students well in their future careers with a good employer.”
Michaela Štundová, Director of the Sečovce Joint School, said: “Students will be admitted to the school based on their results in the talent-oriented entrance exam, marks and placements in Olympiads and competitions at primary schools. I believe that all parties involved will benefit from this cooperation. We will be able to provide students with quality education at a high professional and material level, and the reputation of secondary education in the Košice Self-Governing Region will increase, as will the number of those interested in studies at the Armed Forces Academy as well as in careers in the Armed Forces.” Director General of the MOD Personnel and Social Affairs Dept Martin Rímeš added that the MOD is planning identical dual education projects with other secondary schools in Strážske, Snina and Handlová.
Applications to the secondary schools in the 2025/2026 school year are to be submitted in writing by letter or electronically by custodial parents or guardians of the secondary school applicants under the age of 18 no later than 20 February 2025.
Speaking at a press conference, Secretary General of the MOD Service Office Peter Krajčírovič said: “We offer young people a host of advantages that will prepare them for life in a quality way. For students and their parents, it is important that this study programme secures not only an excellent career opportunity, but also substantial financial relief. The costs that families would otherwise have to bear are covered in full by the Ministry of Defence. In addition, every month the students will be better off financially thanks to a placement in a SVK Armed Forces unit, as well as receiving other financial and material benefits.”
Among the significant benefits are accommodation, meal, school essentials, and clothing allowances – which will greatly reduce the financial burden on parents, free medical and psychological examinations, a financial benefit of up to 80 euros a month for the completed work placement in a SVK Armed Forces unit under the dual education framework, and pocket money of 100 euros a month, Director General of the MOD Personnel and Social Affairs Dept Martin Rímeš said, adding, “Ultimately, there is an opportunity for the students to continue their studies at the General M. R. Štefánik Armed Forces Academy Liptovský Mikuláš, and, after graduation, their Initial Military Training will be shortened from seven to two weeks.”
Rastislav Trnka, Chairman of the Košice Self-Governing Region, said: “While 184 students were involved in the dual education system in the 2018/2019 school year, five years on, in the 2023/2024 school year, there were already 1,536 students. This means that almost every sixth student of the Košice Zhupa (District) schools studies in the dual education system. That is why I am pleased to say that with the Personal and Property Security Study Programme at “our school”, we will be the first in Slovakia to have a dual education project with the Ministry of Defence. I wish Slovakia’s first military secondary school class a lot of successful students, and I wish the students well in their future careers with a good employer.”
Michaela Štundová, Director of the Sečovce Joint School, said: “Students will be admitted to the school based on their results in the talent-oriented entrance exam, marks and placements in Olympiads and competitions at primary schools. I believe that all parties involved will benefit from this cooperation. We will be able to provide students with quality education at a high professional and material level, and the reputation of secondary education in the Košice Self-Governing Region will increase, as will the number of those interested in studies at the Armed Forces Academy as well as in careers in the Armed Forces.” Director General of the MOD Personnel and Social Affairs Dept Martin Rímeš added that the MOD is planning identical dual education projects with other secondary schools in Strážske, Snina and Handlová.
Applications to the secondary schools in the 2025/2026 school year are to be submitted in writing by letter or electronically by custodial parents or guardians of the secondary school applicants under the age of 18 no later than 20 February 2025.
