Regional Pedagogical Support Centres: A Strategy for Advancing Teacher Development in Slovakia

Abstract

The evolving demands of the 21st-century classroom require innovative approaches to support teachers in their professional development. In Slovakia, the establishment of Regional Pedagogical Support Centres (RPSCs) responds to this need by providing ongoing development, introducing new teaching strategies, and building stronger teacher networks. Since 2023, the RPTK system has been aligned with national educational reforms, addressing curricular updates and promoting digital competencies among educators. Out of 40 RPSCs, four bilingual centers offer tailored mentoring in Slovak and Hungarian, catering specifically to minority-language educators and reflecting broader European strategies that prioritize localized, language-sensitive support systems. This study assesses the one-year impact of these bilingual RPSCs on teaching quality and teacher development, based on feedback from participating educators. The findings highlight the effectiveness of mentoring as a crucial tool for fostering both professional and personal growth.