Hladush V., Šilonová V., Klein V. Training of special education teachers in Slovakia and Ukraine: comparative analysis

Contact: Prof. Viktor Hladush, DrSc. – Catholic University in Ružomberok, Faculty of Education, Department of Special Pedagogy and
Therapeutic Pedagogy, Juraj Páleš Institut in Levoča, Slovakia. Research interests: history of special pedagogy, problems of pedagogical personnel training, their readiness for an inclusive education, inclusive diagnosis.

Viera Šilonová, PhD. – Catholic University in Ružomberok, Faculty of Education, Department of Special Pedagogy and Therapeutic Pedagogy, Juraj Páleš Institut in Levoča, Slovakia. Research interests: problems of pedagogical personnel training, their readiness for an inclusive education, inclusive diagnosis.

Doc. PaedDr. Vladimír Klein, PhD. – Catholic University in Ružomberok, Faculty of Education, Juraj Páleš Institut in Levoča, Slovakia. Research interests: problems of pedagogical personnel training, their readiness for an inclusive education, inclusive diagnosis.

The main targets of the study: to highlight the experience and peculiarities of the organization of the educational process of higher education institutions in Slovakia and Ukraine which train teaching staff for the system of special education; to make analysis of the list of academic disciplines that form the professional competence of future special teachers in the course of mastering the educational and
professional program of the second (master's) level; to compare the specialization and qualifications of graduates.
The study describes the systems for training teachers in special education in Slovakia and Ukraine; highlights the main principles and procedures for selecting candidates for training at teacher training institutions of higher education on the example of the Catholic University in Rujomberk and higher education institutions of Ukraine; carries out a comparative analysis of the volume and content of special education programmes and the availability of components of general, professional and selective disciplines; and pays particular attention to the following issues.
The researchers came to the conclusion that the content of the educational program, the organization of the educational process in higher education institutions of both countries successfully ensure the mastery of professional competencies of applicants for higher education.
The educational programmes can be easily adapted to ensure the mobility of students, in particular, for individual specific courses, pedagogical practice and dual diplomas. Such measures will definitely bring Ukrainian higher education closer to European standarts and will make our graduates more attractive in the European labor market.

The article also shows the peculiarities of decentralization in Slovakian higher education institutions, the powers of heads of structural units of universities.
The results of research will allow the teaching staff in Ukraine to revise the system of national teacher education, to borrow something new, advanced and useful and finally make sure of the correctness and reliability of their own approaches to the formation of professional competencies in special teachers.

Key words: higher pedagogical education, special education teacher, master, educational program, Slovakia, Ukraine