The system of education in the Czech Republic is governed by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, primarily pursuant to the Schools Act and Act on Universities.
Levels of the education system
Preschool education provided by nursery schools to children generally 3 to 6 years of age, at earliest from 2 years of age. It is mandatory for children who reach 5 years of age by 31 August of the given year. Mandatory preschool education can also be fulfilled in the first grade of primary school or preparatory level of special primary school. Mandatory preschool education does not apply to children with severe mental disabilities.
Basic education is usually conducted at primary schools which have nine years. The pupil is typically 6 to 15 years of age. A part of basic education may be provided by multi-year gymnasia and eight-year conservatories (see secondary education). The fulfilment of nine years of mandatory school attendance within basic education is mandatory by law.
Secondary education is provided by secondary schools or conservatories. The pupils are typically 15 to 18/19 years of age. Graduates acquire a secondary education with a school leaving examination, which is required to study university or post-secondary vocational school, or secondary education (with a certificate).
The law guarantees all pupils the right to education which respects their individual educational needs. Pupils with special educational needs are guaranteed free specific support of education by law. See Support and consultancy in education
Tertiary education consists of university and post-secondary vocational education. Universities conduct education in accredited study programmes (pursuant to the Bologna Declaration in three cycles - bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees, or non-structured master’s degrees, see Education system in the Czech Republic - university education)and lifelong education programs. Graduates acquire the right to use academic titles. Post-secondary vocational education is provided by post-secondary vocational schools or conservatories (see Secondary education). Graduates acquire the right to use the title DiS.
Education of adults includes general, specialised, interest-related and other education.
Primary art schools and other informal education options stand apart from the levels of the educational system (see Informal education).
Bullying
Organisation of the school year
Education strategy
The Education Strategy of the Czech Republic until 2030+ was approved by the Czech Government on 19 October 2020. The task of Strategy 2030+ is to clearly stipulate the direction of development for education and investment priorities for coming years. The objective is to modernise the Czech education system in areas of regional education, interest-related and informal education and lifelong education, and prepare it for new challenges while solving the lasting problems in the Czech school system.
Framework educational programs
Framework educational programs (FEP) chiefly stipulate the specific objectives, form, duration and mandatory content of education, conditions for the course and completion of education, etc. Based on the FEP and rules stipulated therein, the individual schools create their own school educational programs (SEP).
National Qualification System
The aim of the National Qualification System is to create an environment that supports the comparability of results achieved through various paths of education. A qualification standard is compiled for each qualification as a structured description of the competences, and an evaluation standard as a set of criteria and procedures to verify these competences. The web portal at National Qualification System provides a sitemap of information about individual qualifications, authorising bodies and means of acquiring qualifications.