Recognition of previous education at a secondary school

Main information

If you had some previous education before secondary school and have proof of it, it is possible for the principal of the secondary school to recognise this education so that you do not have to retake the subject or even the whole year of study. In terms of the content of the prior education, a distinction is made between comprehensive and partial education.

A comprehensive education is considered to be, in particular, successfully completed education in a secondary school, conservatory, higher vocational school in the Czech Republic or abroad, which is evidenced by a document of successful completion or in another demonstrable way (final certificate, final examination certificate, school-leaving examination certificate, etc.). It also includes a single school-leaving exam or a final exam.

Partial education is defined as, for example, completing only some years of another secondary school, conservatory, higher vocational school in the Czech Republic or abroad, or other education, especially in vocational courses or language schools.

If you can prove in your application to the principal of the secondary school that you have received a comprehensive education by means of credible evidence (final examination certificate, school-leaving certificate, etc.), the principal should recognise your comprehensive education, as you are legally entitled to have your comprehensive education recognised. In practice, this means that the principal of the secondary school always exempts the pupil from teaching and assessment of those subjects (or parts thereof) whose content and scope is identical to the course of education being completed and studied at the same time. However, this exemption applies only to the education itself, i.e. school attendance and grades on annual report cards, and does not apply to final or school-leaving exams. As the above-mentioned educational documents are of permanent validity, there is also no time limit for the validity of the claim for recognition of the comprehensive education obtained.    

In the case of partial education, it is up to the discretion of the secondary school principal whether or not and to what extent he or she will recognise this partial education (based on an assessment of its content and scope) in the framework of your education at the relevant secondary school.

There is no legal entitlement to the recognition of partial education. Its sufficiency for recognition shall be assessed by the school principal on the basis of evidence of such education, unless more than 10 years have elapsed since the date of attainment, or on the basis of an examination set by the school principal. The school principal may recognise the education achieved in only some subjects or only some years completed in another secondary school (also foreign), or in another branch of secondary education, conservatory, vocational school, or other education, for example in vocational courses or in a language school.

This applies to you if

This applies to you if you are a secondary school student and have completed such prior education that can be counted towards your current secondary school studies.

When to use this service

At any time during secondary school education.

Service settlement

What you need if you are using this service

You need to apply for recognition of your education and provide evidence of your education (final certificate, final exam certificate, school-leaving certificate, annual report cards, etc.).

There is no prescribed application form, but you can use the form published by the school on its website.

Where and how to solve this service

You apply for this service at the secondary school you attend. You can apply by post or in person at the school.

Additional information

What is the benefit of this service

The benefit is the recognition of previous, already completed education. During the course of learning, you do not have to retake and be evaluated in education whose content you have already acquired by other means for which you have evidence.

Appeal options

Appeals against the rejection of an application for the recognition of education attained are decided on by the Prague City Hall or regional office competent according to the seat of the secondary school. The appeal shall be submitted through the school principal.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I get a form to apply for recognition?

There is no prescribed form for the application; the usual method of submission is sufficient, stating who is submitting the application, the matter to which it relates and what is proposed, including the identification of the person submitting the application and, where appropriate, the delivery address. Alternatively, you can use the form published by the school itself on its website. However, don't forget to attach certified copies of your education documents.