Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
♥ Support DávkaNewsletter
Last refreshed: 08/06/2026 21:38 · 54 articles added
Stories are refreshed at 05:30, 10:30, 15:30, and 21:30 UTC.

Society

View all1954 stories
Society

Slovak Schools Introduce Electronic Applications While Maintaining Paper Requirements

School enrollment applications in Slovakia have transitioned to an electronic system conducted in Slovak language, but parents still face the burden of submitting physical documents alongside digital forms. The enrollment period has officially begun, with parents now required to navigate both digital and paper-based processes to register their children for the upcoming school year. This dual system represents a partial digitization effort by the education ministry, though the continued paper documentation requirement has maintained administrative complexity for families during the registration process.

Korzár
|
Society

School Enrollment Drops Again in Eastern Slovakia, Rural Schools Face Closure

Eastern Slovakia is experiencing another decline in first-grade enrollment, with schools unable to fill their capacity as fewer children begin their education. The enrollment shortage is particularly acute in rural areas, where small village schools are being forced to close due to insufficient student numbers. This year's enrollment process introduced electronic applications as a new feature for parents registering their children for first grade. The demographic trend reflects Slovakia's broader population decline, which has been affecting the education system for several years, forcing school consolidations and closures particularly in smaller communities across the eastern regions of the country.

Korzár
|
Society

90-Year-Old Slovak Man Cares for Wife with Alzheimer's Disease in Touching Love Story

A 90-year-old Slovak man continues to care for his wife who suffers from Alzheimer's disease, reflecting on their decades-long love story that began in Paris in 1964. Juraj Silvan met his future wife Eva during a travel club trip to the French capital, where the 28-year-old was immediately drawn to the young doctor, a charming blonde whom he admired for her education and demeanor. The couple fell in love during the Paris trip and went on to build a life together in Bratislava. Now in their twilight years, Silvan speaks fondly of their beautiful life together while providing care for Eva as she battles the degenerative disease. The story highlights the enduring nature of their relationship and the challenges faced by elderly couples dealing with dementia, representing the experiences of many Slovak families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease.

Dennik N
|
Society

Interior Ministry Expands Appointment Slots in Document Processing Reservation System

Slovakia's Interior Ministry has increased the number of available appointment slots in its reservation system for processing identity documents. The ministry expanded the time horizon for booking appointments, making it easier for citizens to schedule visits to government offices for document services. The online reservation system is used by Slovak citizens to book appointments for obtaining or renewing identity cards, passports, and other official documents at district offices and specialized workplaces across the country.

SME
|
Society

New Autism Care Facility Opens in Klokočov as Demand Already Exceeds Capacity

A new specialized facility for children with autism has opened in Klokočov, a village in eastern Slovakia, combining both residential and outpatient care services. The facility is already experiencing demand that exceeds its current capacity, highlighting the significant need for autism support services in the region. The center represents an expansion of specialized healthcare infrastructure for children with developmental disabilities in Slovakia, where such services have traditionally been limited.

Korzár
|
Society

Slovak School Inspection Seeks Access to Mobile Phones in Čurilla Family Case

Slovakia's School Inspection Authority has requested access to mobile phones in a case involving the Čurilla family, stating it possesses unverified information that requires investigation. The defense team dismissed the inspection's claims as speculation that does not align with reality. The case appears to involve educational oversight matters, though the specific nature of the allegations and the family's connection to potential violations remain unclear.

SME
|
Society

Journalist Ria Gehrerová Calls for Better Recognition of Domestic Violence

Slovak journalist Ria Gehrerová has spoken out about the difficulty many people face in recognizing domestic violence, expressing frustration with societal attitudes that normalize abusive behavior in intimate relationships. Gehrerová criticized the tendency to mistake violence for expressions of love, highlighting the challenges victims and society face in identifying harmful patterns in close personal relationships. Her comments reflect ongoing concerns about domestic violence awareness in Slovakia, where traditional attitudes about relationships can sometimes mask or excuse abusive behavior.

SME
|
Society

Ukrainian Refugees Share Views on Life in Slovakia: 'Law Means Something Here, But It's Expensive'

Ukrainian refugees living in Slovakia since Russia's invasion shared their perspectives on their adopted country in a group discussion. Seven Ukrainians - four women and three men - discussed their observations about Slovak society, noting that while the rule of law is stronger than in Ukraine, the cost of living presents challenges. The refugees also commented on cultural differences, including Slovaks' eating habits during social visits, highlighting the adjustment process as they build new lives in Slovakia.

Dennik N
|
Society

Slovakia Invests Over €11 Million in New Elementary School Construction in Eastern Region

Deputy Prime Minister Tomáš Drucker visited the construction site of a new elementary school in Trebišov, eastern Slovakia, highlighting the government's commitment to educational infrastructure development. The project on Jesenná Street represents an investment of more than €11 million and ranks among the most significant investments in school infrastructure in eastern Slovakia. Drucker, who heads the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Recovery Plan and Knowledge Economy, emphasized that the future of regions depends on the conditions created for children and their education. The new school construction is part of Slovakia's broader efforts to modernize educational facilities and support regional development through improved learning environments.

Košice Dnes
|
Society

Slovakia Unveils New Anti-Poverty Strategy Targeting Education in Marginalized Communities

The Slovak government has introduced a new approach to addressing poverty through education, with the eastern city of Trebišov serving as a key implementation site. The strategy focuses on improving educational opportunities for children from marginalized communities as the primary tool for breaking cycles of poverty. This marks a shift in the state's methodology for working with excluded communities, emphasizing schools as central institutions for social integration. The plan represents part of Slovakia's broader efforts to address socioeconomic disparities, particularly in eastern regions where Roma communities and other marginalized groups face significant challenges accessing quality education and economic opportunities.

Korzár
|
Society

Galanta Hospital Opens Renovated Neurology Department with Improved Patient Care

Penta Hospitals Galanta has opened a renovated section of its neurology department, with neurological patients receiving treatment in modernized facilities since mid-March. The upgraded spaces are designed to improve both patient care quality and comfort levels. The renovation represents part of ongoing infrastructure improvements at the hospital, which is part of the Penta Hospitals network operating several medical facilities across Slovakia.

Aktuality
|
Society

Driver sentenced to three months in prison for driving despite two previous bans

A Slovak court sentenced a driver to three months in prison for operating a vehicle while under two separate driving bans. The defendant was found guilty of a criminal offense and received an additional driving prohibition as part of his sentence. The case highlights the country's efforts to crack down on repeat traffic offenders who continue to drive despite court-ordered restrictions on their driving privileges.

Korzár
|
Society

Slovakia Bears Traces of Its Own 'Sudetenland' History

Abandoned and transformed houses, changed place names, and monuments that current residents don't fully understand mark Slovakia's landscape as traces of interrupted cultural heritage. These remnants reflect the historical displacement and demographic changes that occurred in Slovak regions, similar to the situation in the Sudetenland, where German-speaking populations were expelled after World War II. The physical evidence of this disrupted cultural continuity remains visible across the country, serving as silent testimony to Slovakia's complex 20th-century history of population transfers and cultural transformation.

Dennik N
|
Society

Žilina Region Marks Earth Day with Fruit Tree Planting Initiative

The Žilina region in northern Slovakia will commemorate Earth Day through a fruit tree planting campaign. The environmental initiative is being organized in partnership with Energo-Eko-Služby, a subsidiary company of the Žilina Self-Governing Region (ŽSK). The tree planting represents the region's contribution to Earth Day celebrations, which is observed annually on April 22 to raise awareness about environmental protection and sustainability.

TASR/Teraz
|
Society

Spiš Region Continues Successful Stray Dog Control Program

The Spiš region in eastern Slovakia is continuing its stray dog management program for a second year following successful results in 2023. The initiative focuses on castrating and vaccinating stray animals while permanently marking them with microchips. The program represents a systematic approach to addressing the stray dog population through veterinary intervention rather than culling, reflecting broader European animal welfare standards being implemented at the regional level in Slovakia.

TASR/Teraz
|
Society

Slovakia Creates Health Policy Without Reliable Data From Medical Registers, Audit Office Warns

Slovakia's Supreme Audit Office has warned that the state continues to develop health policy without reliable data from medical registers. The audit office highlighted persistent deficiencies in the management of health registers that could complicate the planning of preventive health measures. The Supreme Audit Office, Slovakia's independent public finance oversight body, conducts regular reviews of government spending and institutional performance. The warning suggests ongoing systemic problems in Slovakia's health data collection systems, which are crucial for evidence-based policy making and effective public health planning. Without accurate and comprehensive health registers, authorities may struggle to identify health trends, allocate resources effectively, or design targeted prevention programs.

Aktuality
|
Society

Police uncover illegal foreign worker employment in Trnava, thirteen people to be expelled

Police in Trnava, a city in western Slovakia, discovered illegal employment of foreign workers at a local company facility. The operation uncovered thirteen individuals working without proper authorization - eleven Indians and two Nepalese nationals. All thirteen foreign workers have been ordered to leave Slovakia within fifteen days as a result of the immigration violations. The discovery highlights ongoing challenges with illegal employment of foreign nationals in Slovakia's industrial sector.

Aktuality
|
Society

Slovak Driver Charged for Driving Despite Ban Until 2027

Police in eastern Slovakia have charged a man with obstructing the execution of an official decision after he was caught driving despite being banned from operating a vehicle until November 2027. The driver violated a court-imposed driving prohibition, leading to criminal charges for ignoring the official ban. Such driving bans are typically imposed by Slovak courts following serious traffic violations or repeat offenses, and violating these restrictions carries additional criminal penalties beyond the original sanctions.

Korzár
|
Society

Veterinarians Launch Aerial Vaccination Campaign Against Rabies in Slovak Foxes

Veterinary authorities have begun aerial vaccination of foxes against rabies across multiple districts in Slovakia. The campaign involves distributing hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses from aircraft to immunize wild fox populations. The vaccination program is part of Slovakia's ongoing efforts to control and prevent rabies transmission in wildlife, which poses a public health risk. Aerial distribution allows authorities to reach fox populations across large rural and forested areas where ground-based vaccination would be impractical.

Korzár
|
Society

Slovak Dating Advice Column Addresses Romance Anxiety for 33-Year-Old Reader

A Slovak newspaper's advice column featured a letter from a 33-year-old woman seeking guidance on romantic relationships. The reader described having no experience with romantic relationships despite several unsuccessful attempts at getting closer to potential partners in the past. She expressed struggling with low self-confidence and self-esteem, while experiencing anxiety about the prospect of being in a relationship despite simultaneously craving intimacy and companionship. The woman sought advice on how to appropriately signal her availability to men, emphasizing that she wants to do so out of genuine desire rather than perceived obligation.

Dennik N
|