Education in Czech Republic

Nurseries and Kindergartens (0–6 years old) – pre-school education

Nurseries take care of the youngest children up to the age of three, while kindergartens focus on preparing
children for primary school. In kindergartens, children develop motor skills, creativity, logical thinking,
and social interactions. Most kindergartens use playful teaching methods, often including educational
games, songs, and physical activities.

2. Primary School (6–15 years old)

The Czech primary school system is divided into two levels. The first level includes 1st to 5th grade, where
children learn basic skills such as reading, writing, counting, and an introduction to social and natural
sciences. The second level consists of 6th to 9th grade.

3. Secondary Education (15–19 years old)

 Grammar School (Gymnázium): Provides general education and prepares students for university.
There are four-year grammar schools (after 9th grade), six-year grammar schools (after 7th grade),
and eight-year grammar schools (after 5th grade). Grammar schools offer a wide range of subjects,
including humanities and sciences. They are ideal for students aiming for higher education.
 Secondary Vocational Schools (SOŠ): These schools offer specialized education in fields such
as economics, IT, engineering, healthcare, or arts. The education combines theoretical knowledge
with practical skills.
 Vocational Training Schools (SOU): These focus on preparing students for specific trades, such
as auto mechanics, construction, cooking, or hairdressing. Practical training plays a large part
in the curriculum.

4. Higher Vocational Schools (19–22 years old)

The study typically lasts three years, and graduates receive the DiS. title (Diploma Specialist). These schools
are particularly popular in areas such as healthcare, social care, technology, and business. VOŠ are suitable
for students who prefer a quicker path to the workforce.

5. University Education (19–25+ years old)

 Bachelor's degree (Bc.): Typically lasts three to four years and provides basic professional
knowledge in a specific field. Graduates are prepared to enter the job market or continue in a
master's program.
 Master's degree (Mgr., Ing.): Lasts two to three years after the bachelor's degree and deepens
knowledge in the chosen field. The title Mgr. is awarded in fields such as social and natural
sciences, while Ing. is awarded in technical and economic fields.
 Doctoral degree (Ph.D.): Focuses on research and scientific work and lasts three to four years.

 Charles University (UK) in Prague: The oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic, founded
in 1348. It offers a wide range of fields, including medicine, law, humanities, and natural sciences.
 Education in Great Britain
In general, we can say that education in this country is one of the most recognized on the world. But in
every part of the country they are a little different from each other. Education here is compulsory for all
children between the ages of 5 and 18 years. The British education system is divided into Key Stages – key
phases.

The period of preschool age and the zero year of elementary school

Children go to kindergarten when they are 3 to 5 years old.

0. Primary school

From the age of 5 to 11, children go to primary school. It is divided into higher and lower. Is called Key
Stage 1 (for 2 years). The higher level is called Key Stage 2 (for 4 years). And it’s interesting, that in primary
school the child is not evaluated by grades. Parents will only receive a paper with a verbal assessment.
After 6 years, the pupil takes minor exam. After that they can go to grammar school or secondary school.

1. Secondary school

The third Key Stage is from 11 to 14 years old (like 7th to 9th grade). The fourth Key Stage is for 2 years
(like 10th to 11th grade). Until the age of sixteen. Then, over two years (12. – 13. grade) students prepare
for the GCSE exam that ends their secondary schooling. This system is called Sixth Form.

2. Universities

Universities in Great Britain are known worldwide. But it’s really difficult to get into universities. University
can cost up to 9 000 pounds a year.

 Students can study the program for 3 years, after which they have BA (bachelor of arts) or BS
(bachelor od science) degree.
 Follow up studies for 2 years are divided into Master’s Degree (Master’s of arts and Master’s of
science) Studies and Professional school (like ING.)
 The last type of education is Doctoral studies then Postdoctoral Study research. In Czech as a PhD
degree. This is for 3 to 5 years.
 American school system
Public education is available to all in the United States. Because US is a federal republic, education systems
can vary from state to state, though often only slightly. But there is no unified school curriculum
for the whole country.

Although public education is free, there are many private schools in the US, even for the youngest children.
Many of these are run by religious institutions. The cost can be tens of thousands of dollars. This is also
true for colleges, where tuition fees can be as high as USD 50 000.

The length of compulsory schooling varies from state to state (it varies from 11 to 13 years). The level
and quality can vary considerably from school to school.

1. Day care centre

Maternity leave as we know it is not common in the USA, so the youngest children (from 9 weeks) spend
time in day care centres.

2. Pre-Kindergarten

An equivalent of Czech kindergarten, which children attend at the age of 4 to 5. Afterwards, they can also
attend a kindergarten until the age of six, which already operates within the first stage of primary school.

3. Elementary school

As we have already mentioned, the kindergarden is part of the elementary school, which is attended
by children aged 5 to 6. Compulsory schooling in the US starts at the age of six, when the youngest children
enter the first year of elementary school (though the age of entry may again vary from state to state). This
stage usually lasts for five grades, so it usually ends at age 11.

4. Junior high school/Middle school

This is the 2nd stage of elementary school, which children attend between the ages of 11 and 14. In reality,
however, there can be differences, because while middle school usually starts in the sixth grade, junior
high school usually starts in the seventh grade.

5. High school/Secondary education

This is the 3rd level of elementary school, which already partially corresponds to Czech secondary
education. Therefore, it usually ends at the age of 18.

6. Post-secondary education

From the age of 18, you can attend other types of schools in the United States that fall under higher
and post-secondary education. These are colleges of varying lengths of time and graduates receive
an associate degree. The basic degree from a university is a bachelor's degree.

7. Graduate education

Successful graduates of this type of education will obtain advanced academic degrees, such as master's
degrees and doctorates. In order to undertake this study, students must have a previous university degree,
meaning a bachelor's degree. This is the highest form of education in the US - called graduate studies,
while post-secondary education is called undergraduate studies.

High school in the USA is completed with a diploma called a High School Diploma. Students can then
go on to one of the university or collage courses, which are focused on vocational subjects and usually last
between 2 and 4 years. They can be both public and private schools, though about a quarter of them
are run by religious institutions.

In the United States, pupils and students are not graded using numbers, but using the letters A to F. These
are recorded in a grade book, which is also available electronically to parents.

In American schools, there is a strong emphasis on afterschool activities. High schools in particular offer
and provide a wide range of activities for students after the school day. These often include sports,
volunteer activities, foreign languages, science subjects and more.

Australian school system

The Australian school system is pretty similar to the UK’s – they’re both compulsory for children to attend
and have both public and private sectors. The main difference between the two systems is that the
Australian school system differs slightly in each state, whereas the UK has one universal education system.

Generally, the Australian education system is split into four categories:

 Primary school – From reception/kindergarten to year six/seven

 Secondary school – From years seven to 10
 Senior secondary school – Years 11 and 12 (some states combine this with secondary school)
 Higher education – Includes either university or vocational education and training (VET)

Similar to the UK, it’s compulsory for children to attend primary and secondary school in Australia.

Australian public schools are free of charge to any permanent residents. You will, however, still have to pay
for some items, such as school uniforms, books, and other supplies.
 The main differences between schools in Britain and the Czech Republic
 kindergartens - in Britain there are children aged 3-5 and in the Czech Republic aged 3-6
(in exceptional situations from seven).
 Primary school – in britain it is 4/5 years of study until they are 11 years old. in the Czech Republic,
9 years of study are compulsory until the age of 15
 Secondary school - In Britain, children take it from 11 to 16 and then take the General Certificate
of Secondary Education exam. in the Czech Republic, children can choose from individual schools
with a particular focus.
 Universities - universities in Great Britain are financially very demanding but they have a certain
prestige in the Czech Republic Charles University is prestigious and people who have a high school
diploma can study there and there is no age limit.

In the Czech Republic, there are also alternative schools that are like school as a game. Children can be
here from pre-school to high school age. One example is Montessori schools, where children choose their
subjects according to their interests and the groups tend to be of mixed ages. A bunch of others focus on,
for example, artistically gifted children or even forest nurseries

 subjects and curriculum - in Britain, students have the opportunity to choose subjects even
at specialized schools, but they also have compulsory subjects. in the Czech Republic, the
curriculum is controlled by the Ministry of Education, only in grammar schools is it possible to
choose a major.
 assessment - in Britain, grading is used from "A" (excellent) to "E" (poor) and the final exam
is the General Certificate of Secondary Education. In the Czech Republic, grading is from "1" to "5".
 school year and holidays - In Britain the year is divided into three parts called "terms" with longer
holidays in between and the summer ones are usually 6 weeks long. In the Czech Republic, the year
is divided into two semesters and the summer holidays are 8 weeks
 uniforms - in Britain, uniforms are quite common in secondary schools. On the contrary, in the
Czech Republic, uniforms are not used in most schools
 lunch breaks - in Britain, lunches are much more expensive than in the Czech Republic,
but the composition is also of better quality and the kitchen is expanded, in some schools there
is also the option of diet lunches. in the Czech Republic, lunches are subsidized by the state
and are therefore much cheaper, but they only contain more affordable ingredients such as rice,
potatoes or sauces. the selection of the food itself is in the form of a buffet in Britain, and in the
Czech Republic they usually order food in advance.

We also thought about what could be changed in teaching in the Czech Republic - modernization of
teaching (analyze the results and learn. an individual approach to students, everyone is different and an
individual approach could help, possibly reduce the number of people in the class. certainly more prestige
for teachers, which is also related to an increase in salary. some curriculum reform. and certainly the
improvement
of the school environment and among students
 What are the main stages of the Czech education system?
In the Czech Republic, the education system is divided into three main stages: primary school (first
and second levels), secondary school, and university.
 What levels make up primary education in the Czech Republic?
Primary education consists of the first level (grades 1–5) and the second level (grades 6–9).
 How does secondary education in the Czech Republic differ from that in the UK?
In the Czech Republic, secondary education is usually completed with the "maturita" exam,
whereas in the UK, students take GCSE exams at age 16, followed by A-levels at age 18.
 What educational stages exist in the British education system?
The British system includes primary education, secondary education, followed by further education
(A-levels), and higher education (university).
 What is the name of the exam that British students take at the end of secondary
school?
The exam is called A-levels, typically taken at the age of 18.
 What is the equivalent of the Czech "maturita" exam in the British education system?
The equivalent of the maturita exam in the UK is the A-levels.
 How long does primary and secondary education usually last in the Czech Republic?
Primary school lasts 9 years, followed by secondary school, which lasts 4 years.
 At what age do students in the UK typically finish secondary education?
Students in the UK typically finish secondary education around age 16 after taking GCSE exams,
then they may continue to A-levels until age 18.
 What is the difference between the British A-levels system and the Czech maturita?
A-levels focus on a smaller number of subjects studied in depth, while the Czech maturita covers a
broader range of subjects.
 What further education options are available to students after finishing secondary
school in the Czech Republic and the UK?
In both countries, students can continue to university, but in the UK there is also the option of
"further education," which includes vocational courses and qualifications outside the university
system. In the Czech Republic, there are also options like vocational schools and higher professional
schools.