AI_EN
Digital Support for E-Applications: Chatbots for Schools and Parents
assignment
In 2026, the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic introduced a new electronic system for submitting applications to secondary, primary, and kindergarten schools. This represented a major change affecting thousands of schools across Slovakia as well as hundreds of thousands of parents.
For school representatives, the initial rollout brought a number of uncertainties—from working with the interface itself to correctly setting up admission processes. At the same time, the application period is very limited and requires fast and accurate responses. The Ministry faced thousands of inquiries daily, which needed to be handled via email and phone support. However, it was not possible to meet the full demand within the required timeframe due to capacity constraints.
A similarly challenging situation arose for parents, many of whom were using the system for the first time. Submitting an application is an important step in a child’s life, naturally generating a large number of questions regarding procedures, deadlines, and the correctness of submitted information.
OUR SOLUTION
To address the Ministry’s needs, we designed and implemented a two-level chatbot solution that covers both professional users and the general public.
For school representatives, we developed an advanced AI-powered chatbot capable of conducting conversations in natural language and providing accurate answers related to the application process. At the beginning of the interaction, users select the type of school (kindergarten, primary, or secondary), allowing the chatbot to adapt to the specific context and deliver relevant information.
The solution also includes the ability to work directly with specific system screens—the chatbot can assist users within the interface context, explain individual steps, highlight important deadlines, and clarify admission requirements.
For the public, we created a separate, publicly accessible chatbot designed as a simple and intuitive guide through the application process. This chatbot uses structured, button-based navigation, enabling parents to quickly find answers based on topics of interest—from deadlines to practical steps in completing the application.
The entire solution is built on verified information and is continuously updated in line with the current state of the admissions process.
RESULTS
From the very launch of the system, the chatbots became a key communication tool. They handled more than 3,000 inquiries daily, significantly reducing the workload of Ministry staff and enabling faster processing of requests from both schools and the public.
The chatbot became the most widely used support channel during the most critical phase of the application period. It provided users with instant answers, reduced uncertainty when working with the system, and contributed to a smoother overall process.
The solution continues to evolve—its knowledge base is regularly expanded and adapted to the current needs of different types of schools, ensuring long-term relevance and value for users.
