The tradition of teacher training associated with the development of elementary (public) education dates back to 1874. According to the 1874 Act on Primary Schools and Preparatory Schools in the Kingdoms of Croatia and Slavonia, the duration of teacher education was raised to three years. Then in 1888, it was raised to four years. The systematic institutional teacher education in Osijek has been ongoing since 1893 when the Teacher Training School was founded. This reputable educational institution has played a significant role in teacher education and the development of education in Osijek, Slavonia and the Republic of Croatia. It is deeply rooted in the work of the educational institutions that have developed on its foundations. In the academic year 1961/1962 the Pedagogical Academy began with its work, which then developed into the Faculty of Pedagogy in the academic year 1977/1978.
In the last decades, teacher education in these areas has been suggestive of changes that have taken place over the years. As the Republic of Croatia began aligning its system with the European system in the 1990s, in 1994, the two-year long study of Classroom teaching was transformed into the four-year University Teacher studies.
In the academic year 1998/1999 the education of teachers and educators was taken over by the newly established Higher Teacher Training College. Since then, Teacher education, as a four-year long professional study program, has been supplemented with intensified programs in the subjects of history, computer science, English and German. In the academic year 1999/2000 the first generation of students enrolled in the study program at the regional study in Slavonski Brod, under the same Faculty.
In the academic year 2005/2006 the Teacher Training College changed its status and title into the Faculty of Teacher Education in Osijek.
Through further persistent work, the university study program for pre-school educators was established, and in the academic year 2009/2010 the first generation of students of the University Undergraduate Study of Early and Preschool Education was enrolled.
That same year, the Department for Lifelong Education was established, and the Faculty started with the pedagogical-psychological and didactic-methodology training for future university teachers at the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University in Osijek.
In terms of teaching, the year 2005 marks the beginning of the implementation of contemporary studies adapted to the Bologna Declaration at all levels - university undergraduate and graduate studies.
On September 11, 2014, the Faculty of Teacher Education changed its name to the Faculty of Education.
Mission
The mission of the Faculty of Education is to make a contribution to society by enhancing knowledge through research as well as education, and to prepare students for working in educational institutions. The Faculty seeks to develop in each member of the community the ability and desire to work wisely, responsibly and effectively for the advancement of the community, striving to build itself as a regional European faculty and a desirable place to study.
Vision
The vision of the Faculty of Education is to develop the Faculty with a clear research profile focused on sustainable development. By implementing quality and effective education based on learning outcomes and the concept of lifelong learning, it will actively cooperate with the economy and engage with European Community development partners in the European research area and in the European Higher education area, which include the highest level of organization and responsibility.