As the new school year approaches, schools around the country are warning of chaos following a government hand-over of school administration to local authorities, with unpaid debts threatening school energy and water supplies.
Kysucké Nové Mesto district in north-west Slovakia reported 29 schools that had been cut off from electricity supplies because of unpaid debt. Schools in Nitra region in central Slovakia went two weeks this summer without water, and many have had their phone lines disconnected because of unpaid bills to monopoly operator Slovak Telecom.
Although the state promised to pay off outstanding debts before handing over the schools, it has not yet done so, and many mayors have said they will not accept responsibility for the schools’ administration until this occurs.
The hand-over was planned in line with a wider attempt in 2002 to devolve state power to local governments.
Compiled by Tom Nicholson from press reports.
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
