1. Czech Educational System
In the Czech Republic all children go to school from the age of 6 to 15, because the school
attendance is compulsory. Six-year-olds enrol in the nine-year elementary school. Most children
attend state schools where the education is free of charge but there are also some private schools
where parents have to participate in covering expenses of the education of their children, and
church religious schools. Physically or mentally disabled children are educated in special schools.
Primary schools have 2 stages. Children in the first five grades are mostly taught by one class
teacher. Older children (6 – 9 grade) have more teachers who specialise in various subjects –
Czech, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, Biology, etc.
Pupils in the CR do not wear uniforms to school. The school year starts on 1st September, and
ends on 30th June, when students get their school report with marks from 1 to 5. In the 5th, 7th or
9th class, children try to pass entrance exams and continue their studies at a secondary school.
Students can enrol in secondary general school – grammar school – which prepares its students
for university studies and lasts 4, 6 or 8 years. Students complete their studies with a school-
leaving exam, which is required for all universities and colleges. The exam is taken in 4 subjects.
Czech and foreign languages are obligatory and other subjects are optional.
Secondary technical schools (SOŠ) train students for various branches: chemistry, agriculture,
glassmaking, etc. Economics can be studied at business schools; culture, singing, dancing and
drama at art schools. Most of the courses last for 4 years and then the students can apply for
university or go to work.
Secondary vocational schools (SOU) train apprentices – future bakers, bricklayers, hairdressers,
etc. for practical jobs.
University education is provided from 3 – 6 years. Most secondary school graduates have to pass
an entrance exam. Students can study the School of Economics, Czech Technical Institute,
Institute of Chemical Technology, Art Academies and various universities. Universities are
organised in faculties – Faculty of Law, Science, Pedagogy, Biology, Philosophy, Medicine, etc.
The university studies are finished with a state exam. Students have to defend a thesis in order to
receive a diploma at a graduation ceremony. After 3-year courses they receive a Bachelor’s
degree and after 4 or 5-year courses a Master’s degree.
Colleges provide higher specialised education on practical fields. Students are required to write
their thesis and pass a school-leaving exam in order to receive the specialist’s diploma. The
studies usually last for 3 years. Students may then go on to deepen their education at university or
go to work as fully prepared specialists.
Attendance - docházka
Compulsory - povinný
Participate - podílet se
Expenses - výdaje
Obligatory - povinný
Optional - volitelný
Branches - odvětví
Apprentice - učeň
Defend a thesis - obhájit dipl. práci