Education in the Czech Republic Check out the Czech Republic! Education 553- Fall 2006, Dr. Stoloff Kelly Watrous

Czech Republic  The Czech Republic is a country in Central Europe that borders Poland to the North, Germany to the northwest and west, Austria to the south, and Slovakia to the East

The Czech Republic’s Education System  Children in the Czech republic are required to attend school from the age of 6 until the age of 16.  The school year begins on September 1 st and ends on June 31 st.  Classes usually take 45 minutes and are followed by a 5 or 10 minute break.

School Structure  School’s in the Czech Republic are divided in the following way (may, 2002): Creeches – for children up to the age of 3 Kindergarten – for children from 3 to 6 years old Elementary School – for children from 6 to 10 years old Junior High – for children from 10 to 14 years old High School – for children from years old Universities – No age limit

Getting to School  Students in the Czech Republic walk to school in a procession.  All students must wear their uniform.

Government and Finance of Education  The Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports has control over the educational school system.  Schools are funded by the state budget from the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports.  Funding is based on total school enrollment. (May, 2002)

Curriculum – Early Years  The curriculum in the Czech Republic consists of nine major subjects: Czech Language and literature, introduction to acquiring knowledge, the fundamentals of geography and geology, fundamentals of natural sciences, mathematics, physical education, musical education, work education, and drawing, painting, and sculpture. (MEYS, p 23)

Curriculum – Later Years  In the later years, the curriculum consists of more subjects, such as foreign language, civic education, history, biology, physics, and Chemistry. (MEYS, p 62)

Standards of Performance  Students in the Czech Republic are promoted from year to year depending upon their performance on oral and written examinations that are developed by individual teachers.  Graduation from school also is dependent upon a final examination.  Admission into secondary schools are dependent upon written exam scores, as well as past academic history. (May, 2002)

Standards of Performance Cont. In the younger years, students must take notes from each lecture. Little written homework and few projects are assigned; however, students must study notes each night in preparation for an oral examination.

Higher Education  Students can enroll in three-year courses to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree at a University.  Students can enroll in four or five-year courses to obtain a Master’s Degree at a University.  Students can enroll in six-year courses to obtain a Medical Degree at a University.  A diploma is awarded after a state exam and written thesis are both passed.

References  ( 2002, May). Education Around the World :The Czech Republic. Retrieved November 5, 2006 from Web site:  (2006, November). Czech Education. Retrieved November 5, 2006 from Web site:  Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports of the Czech Republic. (1994). National report on the development of education: Prague: Author.  Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. Retrieved November 5, 2006 from Web site: studying/educational-system/ studying/educational-system/  Photos provided by the official guide to the Czech Republic. Retrieved November 5, 2006 from Web Site: