Main information
The legal guardian of the child (parent) has the option of choosing a school abroad (if they are abroad with the child), a foreign school in the Czech Republic (if the school has been issued a permit for compulsory school attendance) or a European School (if the parent belongs to the group of persons whose children are intended to attend European Schools).
If the pupil
- attends school abroad and does not attend the local (primary) school, they have the option to choosewhether to take exams at the (Czech) local school in all subjects according to the primary school curriculum,
- attends a local (primary) school abroad, they have the option to choose take exams in selected subjects at their local school and thus receive a Czech primary education,
- attending a foreign school in the Czech Republic, which has the permission of the MEYS, they must take exams in selected subjects at their local school and thus receive a Czech primary education,
- attends a European School, they do not have to take any exams, as their education is automatically recognised at the European School.
The register of pupils fulfilling compulsory school attendance in the above-mentioned ways is kept by:
- the local school, if the pupil is registered at that school (and also takes the relevant examinations at that school), or
MEYS, if the pupil does not have a local school (and will also have to prove to the MEYS that they have completed compulsory school attendance abroad).
This applies to you if
This applies to you if you are the legal guardian of a child who is fulfilling compulsory school attendance abroad or in a foreign school in the Czech Republic.
When to use this service
Any time during the school year.
Service settlement
What you need if you are using this service
Notification of education abroad or in a foreign school in the Czech Republic addressed to the local school must include:
- the expected duration of compulsory school attendance abroad or in a foreign school in the Czech Republic or in a European School;
- address of the pupil's place of residence;
- if applicable, the address of the school concerned.
The form published on the Ministry's website can be used to notify the MEYS.
To document the progress and completion of compulsory school attendance, affix an attachment to the signed form (e.g. a report card from a school abroad or an affidavit of the pupil's individual tuition). Have the attachments documenting the course of training translated into English.
Where and how to solve this service
The service is dealt with at the pupil's local school where the pupil is registered for compulsory school attendance or, if you do not have a local school, at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS).
The completed form can be sent in writing to: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Department of Primary Education, Karmelitská 529/5, 118 12 Prague 1.
How much will you pay
There is no charge for this service.
Additional information
What is the benefit of this service
The benefit of the service is the option of receiving primary education in accordance with Czech legislation while abroad. By passing the relevant examinations at the Czech school, education abroad is considered equivalent to the education received at the Czech primary school (unless the education is automatically recognised - see details at Recognition of the equivalence of foreign certificates for graduates of a European School) and allows seamless access to education in secondary schools or conservatories.
Appeal options
This is not a permit, it is a notification, the matter is not decided.
Legislation
Sanctions
In the event that a legal guardian neglects the compulsory school attendance of their child (this obligation also applies to Czech citizens abroad), this may be an offence with a fine of up to CZK 5,000.
Frequently asked questions
By when must the legal guardians notify the school of compulsory school attendance abroad?
If the legal guardian of a child who stays abroad for a long period of time opts to prove the fulfilment of compulsory school attendance to the local school, they shall register the child for compulsory school attendance between 1 April and 30 April of the calendar year in which the child is to start compulsory school attendance.
Which is my child's local primary school?
You can choose a primary school established by a municipality or a association of municipalities located in the school district where the pupil has their permanent residence (hereinafter referred to as a catchment school), or any other school. Enrolment consists of submitting (sending) the application for admission to education to the school principal. The legal guardian then continues to provide evidence of compulsory school attendance to the (local) school.
In which cases is compulsory school attendance reported directly to the MEYS?
The legal guardian may choose to withdraw the pupil from or not enrol them in the local school. In this case, however, they must report the fulfilment of compulsory school attendance directly to the MEYS. Also, if the parent of a pupil who has been fulfilling compulsory school attendance abroad since the beginning and does not choose a local school for their child, they must provide proof of compulsory school attendance directly to the Ministry.