Education
The Czech Republic has an illustrious history of providing quality education which continues to this day. The oldest university in Central Europe was established back in 1348, and is now known at the Charles University in Prague. The Czech Republic is particularly well-known for its long tradition of providing excellence in the fields of science, engineering and mathematics.
Compulsory education was first introduced in Bohemia in 1774 by Maria Theresa and in the Czech Republic today children begin their compulsory primary education at the age of 6. After progressing through the 9 grades, at the age of 15, they can then chose to continue into secondary education until the age of 18, and from there they can progress to higher education offering Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral programmes.
More and more study programmes are being offered in foreign languages, especially English, to cater for the rise in international student numbers
School system in the Czech Republic
In the CR, school attendance is compulsory from the age of 6 till 15 (or 16). It is free of charge and all children have the same possibilities for their future education. This system includes 4 grades:
- a) Pre – school education
In our country there are nursery schools for children from the age of 1 to 3 years. From the age of 3 to 6 children attend kindergarten. This pre-school education is not compulsory. - b) Primary education
From the age of 6 to 15 (or 16) children attend primary schools. There are 2 degrees there. The first degree is from the first to the fifth class. Children learn the 3 R’s there: Reading, wRiting, aRithmetic. Second degree is from the 6th to the 9th class. They learn Czech language and literature, foreign language, Maths, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, History, Geography, Civics, Music and Art. - c) Secondary education
Boys and girls over the age 15 (or) 16 attend secondary schools such as Grammar school, Special School and Apprentice centres. At secondary school students are taught most of those subject as at basic school but they are expanded in their content. As for special subjects, they learn economics, typing, accounting, computers, and various kinds of laboratory work. Students finish their studies with the school-leaving examination - d) Tertiary education
Tertiary education refers to universities and Technical Universities. Successful students from secondary schools can enter any university.
School system in Great Britain
School is compulsory for children between the age of 5 to 16. Primary schools are for ages between 5 – 11 and Secondary schools are for ages over 11. Children under the age of five go to kindergarten. In Britain, 93% of pupils go to state schools. At the age of 16 about two thirds (2/3) of these pupils leave school and get jobs or apprenticeships. This system of education is free of charge. Some children take the Certificate of Secondary Education (C. S. E.) which means the satisfactory completion of school at the age of 16. More ambitious children take the examinations for the General Certificate of Secondary Education at ordinary level (GCSE – O level) or advanced level (GCSE – A level) at the age of 18. The GCSE – A level is the basic qualification to enter university. There are more than 40 universities in Great Britain.
School system in the USA
In the USA there is not a national system of education. Each of the 50 states has its own laws regulating education. Children begin school at the age of 5 or 6 and continue until the age of 18. Every child gets minimum 13 years of education free of charge. Primary or grade school is from the 1st to 6th grades. Then students attend middle school (also called junior high school) for three years. After middle school, students attend secondary schools, which are called „high schools“. The goal of secondary school is to get a high school diploma. Students should take on average 17 or over 20 units during their studies. Marks in most US schools are A, B, C, D, and F with an A being excellent and an F being failure. During the final year of high school, most students take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) which is a national college entrance examination. The results of this test will determine if the student should continue on to attend a college or university and it is used by universities to decide which students to accept.