Curricula transformation in the countries in transition: an experience from Slovakia

The process of complex political, economical and social changes in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe involves far-reaching transformations. To transform educational contents, form and organization is one of the urgent needs, having in mind the semi-total isolation that lasted nearly half a century. In this paper, historical background of the ongoing transformations of the system of higher education is briefly outlined, with emphasis on analysis of its consequences for the current situation. The transformations must aim not only at overcoming certain weaknesses of the present system, but also cope with new challenges that any curriculum in a discipline developing so swiftly as informatics is facing today. Approaches taken to transform the informatics curriculum in Slovakia are discussed. A role of projects for international collaboration is mentioned.