Education becomes winner in 2017 budget in Slovakia

The education sector has become the winner of a contest for money from the 2017 state budget, with spending in this area being up by 300 million euros (317 million U.S. dollars) compared to 2016, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Tuesday.

Teachers' salaries will go up by 6 percent in September 2017, following a similar increase last September.

"I'm also pleased to see an increase in spending for sports by 80 percent year-on-year, which can have a significant effect on sport infrastructure and the support of individual disciplines," said Fico. At the same time, in 2017, health care will receive the largest volume of funds ever.

"When it comes to investments, there is 70 million euros that can be used by Health Minister Tomas Drucker for reconstruction and overall improving the environment used by patients on a daily basis," stressed Fico.

The budget also counts on large investments, including the construction of a motorway bypass around Bratislava and of a Jaguar Land Rover plant in Nitra.

The prime minister further pointed out that the Justice Ministry received a boost of money for reforming prisons and for security. Meanwhile, the Culture Ministry will get more resources for developing the culture of ethnic minorities.

"This issue interests us and we're happy to see a high quality of coexistence among people in Slovakia," added Fico. Endit