Education in the Czech Republic is free and compulsory from ages 6 to 15.^[1] In 1996, the gross primary enrollment rate was 104 percent, and in 1995, the net primary enrollment rate was 86.9 percent.^[1] Primary school attendance rates were unavailable for the Czech Republic as of 2001.^[1] While enrollment rates indicate a level of commitment to education, they do not always reflect children’s participation in school.^[1] Ethnic Roma children attend school less regularly and disproportionately attend “special schools” for mentally disabled or socially maladjusted individuals.^[1]

The Czech school system has four degrees:

• Preschools (from 2 to 5 years old)
• Elementary (from 6 to 15 years old, mandatory)
• High schools, grammar schools, colleges and training colleges
• Universities

Education in the Czech Republic is free, but there are some exceptions like preschools which are paid by parents, though only the last year before entering elementary school is free. There is also a long-standing talk about paying fees for attending university. However, as education is free, parents pay only textbooks, basic equipment and food if their child eats in a school cafeteria. The state pays health insurance for students up to 26 years of age.

Elementary schools[edit]

The elementary school (Czech: základní škola) consists of nine grades which are divided to two substages. The first stage (grades 1–5) is usually referred to as a primary school and the second stage (grades 6–9) a secondary schools. In towns and cities both stages are usually implemented into one school; however, some villages only offer the first stage and the older children have to commute to the nearest town. There is also an exception of grammar schools which are attended by children from the sixth to thirteenth grade. This type of school is usually meant as a route to universities.

High schools[edit]

Universities[edit]

Higher education in the Czech Republic consist of public, state (police and military) and private universities. Study at public universities is unlimited and free, but after the age of 26, the attendant will not receive the student status from social services and state would not pay his health insurance if they continue studying.

For private Universities a fee falls between 2 000 and 3 000 euro and for BSBA and MBA (not accredited by Ministry of Education) study programs between 3 000 and 10 000 euro. Prestige and qualities of education and research of public and state universities is much higher than private ones. Private universities have undergone many scandals in last years.

For an example of a Czech public university governance, see Governance of Palacký University.

History[edit]

The history of Czech education begins in 863 with invitation from Rostislav to Cyril and Methodius to come to Great Moravia and serve liturgy in the Slavonic language.

A big step in education happened 7 April 1348 when Charles IV founded the first university in the central Europe in Prague. Second university in nowadays Czech republic was established in 1576 (see Palacký University, Olomouc) in effort to counterweigh the influence of Protestants, who controlled the Prague University, and who constituted about 90% of country's population. Another enhancement of education was possible only after the Czechoslovak state was established, when a number of other universities were founded.

In the Enlightenment the Habsburg emperor Maria Theresa of Austria (1740–1788) passed the law that every child between ages 6 – 12 is required to attend school.

School year[edit]

The school year starts on the first weekday of September and ends on the last weekday of June. It is divided into two semesters with exams at the end of each. Usually, the first semester runs from 1.9. to 30.1. and the second from 1.2. to 30.6., separated by a one day break and summer holidays. The actual dates, along with holidays and breaks, are announced by each school individually and may vary slightly.

Holidays[edit]

• Autumn holidays - two working days around Independence day (28.10.), which is a public holiday
• Christmas (winter) holidays - about 9 – 12 days. (usually 22.12. - 2.1.)
• Mid-term break - one day holiday (4.2.)
• Spring holidays - one week holidays, the date varies according to district (usually from beginning of February till end of March)
• Easter holidays - three days holiday (called Green Thursday, Big Friday and Easter Monday)
• Labour day - one day holiday (1.5.)
• Day of Liberation from Nazism - one day holiday (8.5.)
• Summer holidays - sixty two days holidays (1.7. - 31.8.)

There is also Children's day on 1 June, that is not considered as holiday, but children are usually taken on trips (one day or more, depending on teachers' courage and trust in their pupils) and other cultural activities.

References[edit]

List of Czech Republic school laws:

• Law no. 561/2004 about preschool, basic, high school, colleges and other education - The School Law, in wording of laws no. 383/2005, no. 112/2006, no.158/2006, no. 161/2006, no. 165/2006, no. 179/2006 and no. 342/2006 (Zákon č. 561/2004 Sb., o předškolním, základním, středním, vyšším odborném a jiném vzdělávání (školský zákon), ve znění zákonů č. 383/2005 Sb., č. 112/2006 Sb., č. 158/2006 Sb., č. 161/2006 Sb., č. 165/2006 Sb., č. 179/2006 Sb. a č. 342/2006 Sb)
• Law no. 562/2004
• Law no. 563/2004
• Law no. 306/1999
• Law no. 109/2002