Since January, Slovak schools have been permitted to hire teacher candidates—students who have already obtained a bachelor's degree but have yet to complete their master's program. This initiative comes as a response to the acute shortage of qualified teachers in subjects such as mathematics, physics, computer science, and languages, which many schools across Slovakia are struggling to fill. While some educators criticize the plan, viewing it as insufficient, others see it as a pragmatic approach to a pressing issue.

The Ministry of Education acknowledges the critical lack of teachers, especially in the Bratislava region, Košice, and Prešov. The difficulty of finding qualified professionals with the appropriate credentials is widespread across the country. For instance, a school principal in Horné Lefantovce recently advertised for a teacher for biology, geography, and Slovak language and stated that teacher candidates could apply—highlighting the challenges faced in securing a qualified Slovak language teacher.

Janka Jankulová, principal of the school, has embraced this approach, acknowledging the difficulties in finding good candidates for specific subjects. This method of employing teacher candidates could potentially alleviate some pressures, though it raises questions about the quality of education students will receive during this period of teacher shortages. It reflects a broader issue within Slovakia's education system that needs strategic solutions to ensure students receive adequate instruction while supporting the incoming wave of future teachers as they complete their training.