Education for children in the Czech Republic is free of charge and guaranteed by state. The Czech Republic maintains high-quality public (non-private) education standards and institutions. In the Czech Republic, not only does the school have responsibility for education, but parents also actively participate in their children’s learning activities. Parents must ensure their children are enrolled in a school, with compulsory school attendance enforceable by law. Children are required to attend at least the final year of kindergarten and then 9 years of primary school until the age of 17 at maximum.

Primary school enrollment period: 1st of April to 31st of April
Kindergarten enrollment period: usually first two weeks in May

Kindergarten may be attended by children of 3 to 6 years of age. Activities are focused on development of the child’s personality, the broadening of knowledge and skills, familiarity with the world away from home, as well as the development of hygienic and social behaviours along with communication skills, all taking place mostly through games and physical activities. Contributions towards costs may be required.

School attendance in the country has been compulsory since 1774. Education, a large part of which takes place at primary school, lasts for a minimum period of 9 years, usually from the ages of 6 to 15. Catchment areas are defined, but the choice of a particular school is up to parents. Pupils may leave primary school at the end of the 5th year to begin attendance at an eight-year secondary school (gymnázium) or at the end of the 7th year to begin at a six- year gymnázium after passing the entrance examination set by the school.

The school year begins on 1st September and ends on 31st August of the following year. Lessons of 45 minutes each are spread over 5 days a week. In the first stage, all subjects are taught by the same teacher, while at the second stage teachers usually specialise in two subjects.

There are three main types of secondary schools in the Czech Republic: the general secondary school (gymnázium), secondary technical school (střední odborná škola – SOŠ) and secondary vocational school (střední odborné učiliště – SOU). A prerequisite for acceptance is successful completion of a compulsory education and successful meeting of the entrance requirements of the particular school.

The gymnázium, of which there are several types (see above), provides a general, academic education. Its main aim is to prepare students for university studies. The duration of studies is usually 4 years, following 9 previous years of primary school. To successfully complete studies at the gymnázium, students must pass a final graduation exam (maturita).

• A secondary technical school usually provides a complete secondary vocational education which takes 4 years and also concludes with a final graduation exam (maturita), with lower-level secondary vocational education (2- or 3-year courses) schools also available. The school prepares students for technical or skilled work in one of about 260 branches. Practical lessons are taught in laboratories and workshops at schools.
• A secondary vocational school offers apprenticeship training generally in 3-year (and sometimes 2-year or 1-year) courses ending in a final exam and an apprenticeship certificate. Practical training targeted at the acquisition of manual skills and experience represents about one half of teaching time.

A higher professional school (vyšší odborná škola) provides the necessary qualifications for demanding technical activities which do not require a university degree. The programmes last a minimum of two years and a maximum of three and a half years.

Higher education institutions consist of both university and non-university facilities, both defined as tertiary education institutions. The type of institution, which must comply with the standards set by the Accreditation Commission, is declared in its statutes. These facilities offer education at three tertiary levels: bachelor study programmes (usually 3 years) and master study programmes (usually 5 years) are available for applicants who have passed the graduation exam (maturita) and have met the other admission criteria, included the required entrance exam of the department or institute the students is applying to. The third level of higher education, doctoral study programmes (usually 3 years), is open to graduates of the master study programmes.

Programs taught in Czech at public universities are free of charge, while tuition fees are charged in many programs taught in other languages, including English.

Do not hesitate to contact Centre for Support of Integration of Foreigners if you need to know some more information.

Web: http://www.integracnicentra.cz/?lang=en
Email: iczlin@suz.cz
Tel.: 725 148 515
773 740 499
778 409 862