GIFTED PUPILS IN THE CROATIAN AND SLOVENIAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

Development and progress of every society depend heavily on the relationship with its most capable members and on the adequate care for the development of their potential. Gifted students are certainly one of the most important components of the society, and should be specialy taken care by the educational system. Unlike the Republic of Croatia, where the development of this group of pupils, in the educational system, has been neglected, most European countries are more and more aware of the importance of the curriculum, based on an individualized approach to gifted students and the formation of national strategies and educational policies for working with gifted. The Republic of Slovenia has been implementing its successful model of work with gifted students for fifteen years. Several concepts have been developed to reveal gifted students on the basis of which curriculum is being developed, moreover, the right and position of gifted students are legally defined through a multitude of documents. Likewise, great attention is devoted to the professional training and improvement of teachers for working with gifted students. Looking at the positive examples of neighboring countries in working with gifted students, it is essential to work on improving relations with gifted students and systematic care in schools in the Republic of Croatia