What access Ukrainians have to pre-schools, primary/secondary education, schools/kindergartens, language courses and what are the conditions for admission in the Czech Republic?

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The education system in the Czech Republic has several levels:

- preschool education;

- primary education;

- secondary education;

- higher education and higher professional education.

Pre-school education takes place in kindergarten and is intended for children, as a rule, from 3 to 6 years old; the last year before entering primary school in the Czech Republic is mandatory.

As a rule, you choose a kindergarten according to your residence. If you need help, contact the magistrate in your city. With the application for admission to the kindergarten, you have to present your identity document and the child's identity document (you can use a visa or another document). It is also necessary to present a certificate from a paediatrician in the Czech Republic about the child’s vaccination (except for children who receive compulsory preschool education).

Education and meals are paid for in kindergarten. Tuition fees do not apply to compulsory preschool education. If you have problems with payment, the kindergarten will advise you on how to get out of this situation.

Primary education is given in primary school and is created for children from 6 years old. Compulsory school attendance lasts nine years. As a rule, senior schoolchildren will be admitted to classes by age, and an individual approach will be used for gradual integration into education.

A child aged 6-15, after 90 days of residence in the Czech Republic, is obliged to attend primary school.

Choose a primary school close to where you live. If you need advice, contact the city magistrate.

When applying for school admission, you have to present your identity document and a document confirming the child's identity (you can use a visa or another document).

Education in primary school is free, and the school issues textbooks for the child. Lunches are provided in the school canteen and are paid for by the child's parents or other legal representatives. Younger children (up to about ten years old) can attend a paid group after school – an extended day. If you have problems paying for lunches or extended day groups, the school will advise you on how to get out of this situation. The school will also provide information on how your child will adapt to school, mainly regarding free Czech language learning and other assistance.

Secondary education is obtained in gymnasiums, secondary vocational and technical schools, or conservatories. Applicants who have completed compulsory schooling or have a degree of primary education obtained in a gymnasium can be enrolled.

Applicants confirm the right to reside in the Czech Republic, which is done by presenting a visa sticker in a foreign passport or a record of granting temporary protection in a foreign passport or without a passport.

A citizen of Ukraine, who is a student of a grade above ninth, can apply for enrollment in a higher grade. The principal of the secondary school decides in which class the student will be enrolled after studying the documents on the student's previous education. He/she can also be included in the current 1st course. If a citizen of Ukraine does not have the necessary documents, they can be replaced by testimony under oath (affidavit).

In the case of admission to educational fields with a final state exam, the single entrance exam in the Czech language is not passed if the previous education took place abroad. In this case, the exam is replaced by an interview. The candidate will take other parts of the entrance exams.

Information about secondary education, specialities and schools can also be found on the website https://infoabsolvent.cz/.

Search for a free school and kindergarten: https://shkola.cz/uk.

Access to higher education is available to persons who have completed the previous level of education (confirmed by a certificate of completion in a general educational institution), have the right to reside in the Czech Republic and have passed entrance exams.

A condition for admission to Czech universities is also to obtain a certificate of knowledge of the Czech language (CCE) before submitting documents to the university.

Access to language courses.

There are Support Centres for the Integration of Foreigners in the Czech Republic. In addition, they conduct free Czech language courses – a map of the Centres at the link - https://www.integracnicentra.cz/rozcestnik-2/.

If a citizen of Ukraine under temporary protection is registered at the Employment Centre of the Czech Republic as an interested person or job seeker, he can apply for free Czech language courses (157.2 kB).

List of providers of "Czech language for foreigners" courses (basic and further levels) accredited by the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Czech Republic.