Classifying educational qualifications in Slovenia vis-à-vis international referential classification instruments

Tatjana Plevnik

Summary:   The article presents international instruments for comparing national education and qualification systems. Classifications, which all countries must use for international communication, are described in more detail. The presentation focuses on the main categories of education, levels and classification criteria. Main concepts, definitions and classification criteria are clearly harmonized at the international level. However, contrary to this international harmonization, there is no common agreement in Slovenia about the ranking of educational qualifications against international classification criteria. Ranking educational qualifications is an important issue linked not only to educational statistics, but also to further development of the education system in Slovenia. The country’s education system is inextricably linked to international trends; international rules must therefore be taken into account. The article indicates the way in which Slovenian educational qualification could be ranked according to international standards.