Public education in Slovakia has become stagnant in recent years. High school graduation rates have remained low as compared with other OECD countries. As well, Slovakia's performance in the international PISA exam has steadily deteriorated over the past 15 years. To remedy these issues, the Ministry of Education has rolled out a series of reforms.

However, some are taking matters in their own hands by forming civic associations, NGOs, and new private schools. Živica, an NGO founded by Juraj Hipš, is taking on the contentious issue of inclusion in schools by opening the private, tuition-free primary school Alma. RSI travelled to Zvolen to speak with students, teachers, and adminstrators of this innovative, model school.