MOD develops cooperation with secondary school in Bernolákovo, graduates will find employment with SVK Armed Forces

Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš today (19 September 2018) attended an Open Door Day at J. A. Gagarin Agrotechnical Secondary School in Bernolákovo, which will open a new study programme – Personal and Property Protection – in the school term 2019/2020. Given the fact that there is no secondary military school in Slovakia, the intent is to educate and train students for jobs with the SVK Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies. Among those who came to support the Open Door Day event was Deputy Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science, Youth and Sports/Deputy Chairwoman of the SNS Party Eva Smolíková and Tibor Jančula (SNS) MP, who has been actively involved in the schoolʼs activities.
 

Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš said: “We want our Armed Forces to be young and modern, that’s is why we want to work more on stimulating studentsʼinterest in the defence of their homeland.” He further noted that the military profession is a mission which knows no time constraints. “One is a soldier for 24/7 and the military oath is not limited to the length of service in uniform, but it applies to ex-soldiers even thereafter,” he said. He welcomed the cooperation between the MOD and the school as a pilot education project.

 

The new study programme “Personal and Property Protection” covers theoretical subjects, such as economy, law, crime investigation, cynology, psychology, and social communication, and practical training, including self-defence, basic combat skills, first aid, drills, and special security. Practical training will take place under simulated conditions and at real facilities. The school has its own shooting range.

 
On successful conclusion of the four-year study programme with the secondary school leaving examination, students will have the chance to study at General M. R. Štefánik Armed Forces Academy in Liptovský Mikuláš or pursue a career with the SVK Armed Forces. After enlisting into the Army, they will be able to staff different positions in the Military Police, the Army and in the field of logistics.