Portraits of Slovak PMs (from left to right): Vladimír Mečiar, Jozef Moravčík, Mikuláš Dzurinda, Iveta Radičová, Robert Fico, Peter Pellegrini, Igor Matovič and Eduard Heger. (source: TASR - Martin Baumann)
By Dominika Štofanová
Ms. Štofanová won first place in the A category in theLEAF Academy Essay Competition. She chose the topic "If I were the next prime minister of Slovakia,…". She studies at the Gymnázium Boženy Slančíkovej Timravy grammar school in Lučenec.
If I were the next prime minister of Slovakia, I would prioritize addressing the challenges facing our country and changing the lives of our citizens for the better. I find it important to focus on implementing policies that would improve the economy, promote social equality and resolve many more issues our country is dealing with at the moment. I would focus on several key areas in order to improve the country and move it forward. In this spirit, I would start by strengthening the economy and creating job opportunities for the people of Slovakia. Other than that, I’d wish to focus on improving the education system, investing in healthcare, and addressing issues related to inequality and social justice. I believe that by prioritizing these areas, we can create a better future for more generations of citizens of Slovakia.
One of the major challenges facing Slovakia as we speak is a lack of economic growth and job opportunities. I would start by focusing on implementing policies that encourage businesses to invest in our country and create new jobs. One of our goals would be for individuals to start their businesses, as well as support existing small businesses to help them expand and thrive. This step could include reducing business regulations and taxes, investing in education and training programs, and promoting entrepreneurship and innovation. One of the key priorities would be to stimulate economic growth and development. This would involve implementing other pro-business policies that would encourage entrepreneurship and investment, as well as investing in key industries such as manufacturing and technology. I would also like to focus on improving infrastructures, such as roads and transportation, to make it easier for businesses to operate and for people to move around the country.
Another important issue is healthcare. I would work to improve access to quality healthcare for all Slovak people, especially in rural areas. This could include investing in new medical facilities and equipment, increasing medical research and development funding, expanding healthcare insurance coverage, increasing funding for hospitals and clinics, as well as implementing policies to improve access to healthcare for all citizens. I would also work to address issues related to mental health and addiction, which are increasingly important in today's society.
In addition, I would focus on improving the education system in Slovakia. This could include increasing funding for schools and teachers, implementing new technology and resources in the classroom, and promoting vocational and technical training programs.
In order to promote social equality, I would focus on providing access to quality education and healthcare for all citizens. As mentioned earlier, this would involve investing in schools and hospitals, and ensuring that they have the resources they need to provide high-quality services. We would also implement policies that promote equal opportunities, such as equal pay for equal work, and we would work to eliminate discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, and sexual orientation. I would work to address issues related to inequality and social justice in Slovakia. This could include working to protect the rights of marginalized groups, such as the LGBTQ+ community and ethnic minorities.
I would also prioritize addressing corruption, which remains a major problem in Slovakia. Corruption is a major problem in Slovakia, and it undermines trust in institutions and hinders economic growth. We would implement stricter laws and penalties to combat corruption, such as increasing transparency and accountability, and we would prosecute those who engage in corrupt practices. We would also work to improve the rule of law and strengthen the justice system, in order to ensure that everyone is being held to the same standards and that justice is served.
Finally, I would also focus on improving the environment and addressing the issue of climate change. In my opinion, it is necessary to work to address the challenges facing our environment, including air and water pollution. Slovakia is a beautiful country, and we must work to protect our natural resources and preserve the environment for future generations. This would involve implementing policies that promote sustainable development and reduce pollution, as well as investing in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Shortly, this step could include implementing stricter environmental regulations, promoting renewable energy sources, and investing in conservation and other sustainability initiatives.
Overall, my priorities, if I were to become the next prime minister of Slovakia, would be to focus on implementing policies that would stimulate economic growth and job opportunities, improve healthcare and education, tackle corruption, protect our environment, and address issues related to inequality and social justice. By implementing these policies and addressing these challenges, I believe that we can create and build a better future for the people of Slovakia, improving their lives as much as we are able to.
The English Essay Competition is organised by LEAF Academy, an international boarding high school in Bratislava. The annual competition is open to all Slovak students from primary and secondary schools who are passionate about writing in the English language.
