Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 06/06/2026 21:36 · 34 articles added
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Slovakia to Increase Number of Teaching Assistants by 750 Positions

Slovakia will add 750 new teaching assistant positions starting next school year as part of a new system designed to improve both staffing levels and effectiveness. The expansion will particularly focus on kindergartens, where teaching assistant numbers are set to grow significantly. The new system includes guarantees for minimum staffing levels and aims to prevent reductions in existing teaching assistant positions while creating additional roles.

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Society

Social Media and Smartphones Linked to Rising Anxiety Among Young Generation, Analysis Shows

A new analysis examines how social media platforms and smartphones are contributing to increased anxiety levels among young people, suggesting these digital technologies exploit basic human instincts in harmful ways. The discussion explores the connection between excessive parental care and negative developmental outcomes for children. Researchers point to growing isolation among youth as a significant concern, with digital technology playing a central role in this trend. The analysis suggests that smartphones and social media platforms are designed to capture and hold attention in ways that may be fundamentally altering how young people interact with the world and each other.

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Society

Čadca Receives Government Grant for Waste Management Project

The northwestern Slovak town of Čadca has been awarded a government grant for a waste management project, Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba announced. The minister also noted that the Čadca municipal government successfully secured funding for another project aimed at reducing energy consumption at the Fraňo Kráľ kindergarten building. Slovakia's Environment Ministry regularly provides grants to municipalities for environmental projects as part of efforts to improve waste management systems and energy efficiency in public buildings across the country.

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Society

Slovak Driver Caught with 3 Promilles While Under Court-Imposed Driving Ban Until 2029

Police in Slovakia arrested a driver who registered three promilles of alcohol in his blood during a routine traffic stop. A subsequent investigation revealed the man was driving despite a court-imposed ban on operating motor vehicles that remains in effect until March 2029. The incident highlights ongoing challenges with repeat drunk driving offenders violating judicial restrictions. In Slovakia, drivers face automatic license suspension for serious traffic violations, with courts able to impose extended bans for repeat offenses or aggravated cases involving alcohol.

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Society

Two Men Attack Bus Driver in Eastern Slovak Town, Arrested by Police

Two men assaulted a bus driver at a bus station in Sabinov, a town in eastern Slovakia's Prešov region. Police patrol units arrested the attackers, aged 35 and 28, who were subsequently placed in police detention cells. The incident occurred at the local bus station, though authorities have not disclosed the motive for the attack or the extent of any injuries sustained by the driver.

Society

Digital literacy training program for Slovak seniors closes registration April 15

Slovakia's Digital Seniors project will stop accepting new registrations on April 15, marking the end of enrollment for a nationwide digital literacy initiative. The program, managed by the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization (MIRRI), has already trained over 87,000 senior citizens and people with disabilities across the country. The educational project aims to improve digital skills among older adults and disadvantaged groups, helping bridge the digital divide in Slovak society.

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Society

Bus Driver Attacked After Refusing to Transport Intoxicated Passengers

A bus driver was physically assaulted after refusing to allow intoxicated passengers to board his vehicle. The incident occurred when the driver exercised his right to deny service to passengers who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Police have arrested both suspects involved in the attack on the driver.

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Society

Health Experts Recommend Immune-Boosting Diet as Cold Season Approaches

Health professionals are advising Slovaks to focus on strengthening their immune systems through proper nutrition as cooler weather arrives. Medical experts note that colds and flu can strike even during early summer months, making year-round attention to immune health important. The guidance emphasizes the role of diet in maintaining the body's natural defense mechanisms against common respiratory illnesses.

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Society

Slovak Tax Authority Reports Death Threats Against Employees After Kvetoslavovo Food Inspection

The Financial Administration of Slovakia says its employees have become targets of hate messages and death threats following a controversial food inspection incident in Kvetoslavovo. The threats emerged after what became known as the "lángos case," where tax authority inspectors conducted checks at a local food establishment. The Financial Administration, which oversees tax collection and customs enforcement in Slovakia, handles routine inspections of businesses to ensure compliance with tax and health regulations. The incident in Kvetoslavovo, a small town in western Slovakia, appears to have generated significant public backlash, leading to serious threats against the agency's staff members.

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Society

Elementary School in Vyšné Ružbachy to Undergo Renovation, Improving Facilities for 400+ Students

An elementary school in Vyšné Ružbachy, which serves more than 400 students, is set to undergo renovation work that will improve its gymnasium and classrooms. The renovation project aims to upgrade the educational facilities at the school, though specific details about the scope, timeline, or funding source for the improvements were not disclosed. The school serves a significant student population in the eastern Slovak region, making the facility upgrades important for the local educational infrastructure.

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Society

Family Travel Discounts in Slovakia See 20% Increase in Usage

Slovak families increasingly used discounted weekend travel on regional buses, with sales of family travel passes rising 20% compared to 2024. Passengers with small children purchased more than 60,000 discounted weekend tickets on ARRIVA buses across the Bratislava, Trnava, Košice, and Žilina regions in 2025. The data was released to mark International Day of Families, highlighting growing interest in family-friendly public transportation options. ARRIVA operates regional bus services connecting smaller towns and rural areas with major cities across these four Slovak regions.

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Society

Bodies of Deceased Stored on Shelves in Prešov Hospital After Pathology Department Demolished

The bodies of deceased patients have been stored on shelves alongside boards and boxes at the Faculty Hospital with Polyclinic J.A. Reiman in Prešov, Slovakia's fourth-largest city in the east of the country. The unusual storage situation arose after construction workers demolished the hospital's pathology department in mid-April to make way for a new military hospital project, which has since been suspended due to concerns about poor-quality concrete. The demolition of the pathology department has significantly disrupted normal hospital operations in Prešov since April, forcing the facility to resort to makeshift storage solutions for deceased patients while the planned military hospital construction remains halted.

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Society

Slovak Mother Goes Public with Son's Rare Disease After Years of Secrecy

Denisa Hulín has founded a patient organization for people with neurofibromatosis, the same rare genetic condition that affects her five-year-old son. For years, Hulín kept her son's diagnosis secret even from friends, not wanting them to pity her or her child. Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue and can lead to various complications including learning disabilities, bone deformities, and increased cancer risk. Hulín's decision to speak publicly about the condition represents a significant shift from her previous approach of privacy and silence. Her patient organization aims to provide support and resources for other families dealing with the same diagnosis, helping them navigate the challenges of living with this rare condition.

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Society

Tomáš Jablonský Selected as New Rector of Slovak Catholic University

Tomáš Jablonský has been chosen to become the new rector of Catholic University in Slovakia, the country's oldest private university. The selection process involved two candidates competing for the institution's highest academic leadership position. Catholic University, established in 1996 in Ružomberok, is one of Slovakia's most prominent private higher education institutions, offering programs in theology, philosophy, education, and other fields.

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Society

Christians in Slovakia Celebrate Ascension Day

Christians in Slovakia observed Ascension Day on Thursday, commemorating the biblical event when Jesus Christ met with his disciples for the final time as a human being, 40 days after his resurrection. The religious holiday marks one of the central celebrations in the Christian liturgical calendar, observed by Catholic and Protestant communities throughout the country.

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Society

Slovak Tax Authority Makes Grammar Errors While Enforcing Language Rules on Businesses

Slovakia's Financial Administration has been found making grammatical errors in its own communications while simultaneously penalizing businesses for language violations. The tax authority, which prides itself on strict adherence to regulations, has been issuing fines to businesses for infractions such as using 'langose' instead of the grammatically correct Slovak 'langoše' for the popular fried bread snack. However, the Financial Administration's own materials contain spelling mistakes, incorrect conjugations, and Czech language influences that violate Slovak grammar rules. The irony highlights inconsistencies in how language regulations are enforced, as the agency that demands perfect compliance from taxpayers fails to meet the same standards in its own official communications.

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Society

Slovak Builder Ferenčák Under Criminal Investigation for Document Forgery

Criminal investigators have launched a probe into Slovak builder Ferenčák for suspected obstruction of official duties by a public official. The investigation centers on allegations that Ferenčák forged documents by signing them himself rather than obtaining proper authorization. The case involves potential abuse of official procedures, though specific details about the nature of the construction projects or the exact official capacity in which Ferenčák was operating have not been disclosed. The obstruction charge suggests Ferenčák may have interfered with or impeded the lawful duties of public officials through the alleged document forgery.

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Society

Slovak Actress Juliána Brutovská Opens Up About Father's Abandonment of Six Children

Slovak actress Juliána Brutovská has spoken publicly about her childhood trauma of being abandoned by her father, who left six children without explanation. The actress revealed that as a child she could not understand her father's departure and still struggles to comprehend it today. Brutovská's candid discussion highlights the lasting psychological impact of parental abandonment on children, particularly when no explanation is provided for such a significant family disruption.

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Society

Spanish Resident Promotes Slovak Town as Tourist Destination on Route to Tatras Mountains

A Spanish resident is advocating for visitors to stop in a Slovak town that travelers typically pass through on their way to the popular Tatra Mountains. The Spanish advocate highlights reasons why the overlooked municipality deserves attention from tourists heading to Slovakia's premier mountain destination. The town lies along the main route that connects travelers to the High Tatras, Slovakia's most visited mountain range and a major tourist attraction known for hiking, skiing, and alpine scenery.

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Society

Slovak Widow Waits Nine Months for Life Insurance Payout After Husband's Death

Margaréta Hajdúchová from Bytča has been waiting nine months for her life insurance payout after her husband died suddenly last summer, leaving her alone with two children and loan payments equal to her monthly salary. The widow's situation became public in December when a friend launched a crowdfunding campaign on the Donio platform, successfully raising 10,000 euros to help her bridge her financial difficulties. The case highlights the delays that can occur in insurance claim processing, leaving bereaved families in financial distress while they wait for benefits that are meant to provide immediate support during difficult times.

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