The first day of September not only marked the return of children to their classrooms, but also the start of one of the biggest reforms of Czech education in recent years. An amendment to the Education Act came into force, which will affect school enrolment, the form of teaching, pupil assessment and the financing of school operations. Some of the changes have come into force immediately, others will come gradually in the coming months and years.
Whether you have a pre-schooler, a high schooler at home, or are interested in education from the perspective of a municipality or employer, here’s a round-up of the highlights.
One of the first changes that will affect parents directly concerns the enrolment dates for primary and kindergarten. From this school year, enrolment in the first grades will move from the traditional spring term to the period from 15 January to 15 February. The intention is to get a more timely overview of the number of children entering the school system and to give schools more time to plan capacity, number of classes or the number of teaching assistants needed.
The change may seem small at first, but in practice it means that parents have to make decisions about their child’s schooling much earlier – in some cases at the start of the calendar year. This also applies to any applications for deferment, which must be made on time and under the new stricter conditions.
Kindergarten enrolment is now taking place between March and April, about a month earlier than before. This move is intended to ensure better continuity in the organisation of primary school enrolments and to enable the founders to estimate the necessary capacities in good time. For parents of children born in the spring, this may mean more complicated planning – especially if they are considering a combination of kindergarten and preparatory class.
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One of the most discussed changes concerns deferments of compulsory schooling. Until now, parents could get a deferral relatively easily – for example, just on the basis of a certificate from a paediatrician. However, this will no longer be possible.Deferrals will only be granted if they are supported by the approval of a school counselling centre (e.g. a pedagogical-psychological counselling centre) and the recommendation of a specialist – usually a clinical psychologist or child psychiatrist.
The aim of this change is to reduce unjustified postponements and to encourage children to start school naturally. The emphasis is on professional assessment, not on administrative simplification. However, the change will not apply to all children at once – it is being introduced on a transitional basis according to date of birth. For example, children born in January and February 2020 will already have to comply with the new rules, while the old rules may still apply to younger years.
At the same time, the possibility of ‘additional deferral‘ – a situation where a child enrolls in school but parents change their minds during September about whether they should still stay in nursery –is coming to an end. According to the ministry, this tool was abused and disrupted the stability of classes. It will now be much more important to carefully consider the child’s readiness before enrolment.
The amendment also brings more flexibility to schools when it comes to assessing pupils. They now have the option of deciding that, especially in primary 1, children will be assessed verbally instead of using traditional grades. Such assessment can be particularly beneficial for younger children, whose grades often do not reflect their actual progress, effort or need for support.
Verbal assessment will better describe a child’s strengths and weaknesses, motivate them to improve and at the same time alleviate unnecessary stress about ‘numbers’. But schools need to set up the system clearly – and parents should be made aware of the form of assessment in advance. At the same time, verbal assessments can be combined with traditional grades – for example, in some subjects or years.
The changes also affect the so-called preparatory classes, which have until now been for children who are not yet fully ready to enter Grade 1. The amendment fundamentally changes their functioning and some schools are starting to abolish them. Their role is partly being taken over by individual support measures such as teaching assistants, teaching adaptations or attendance at a preparatory group in kindergarten.
Tip: Who is allowed to teach, what are their duties and what are they not allowed to do? The teaching profession is not just about teaching and grades. The Law on Teaching Personnel precisely defines not only the educational requirements, but also the daily rights and duties of teachers. We specify everything in our article.
The changes also affect secondary schools, specifically the form of the school-leaving examination. Selected schools can now introduce a so-called school matriculation exam – instead of a single exam in Czech or mathematics, students can prepare and defend a profile matriculation paper.
This model is particularly suitable for vocational subjects where practical skills play a greater role than testing theory. For example, a graphic design student may submit a portfolio or an exhibition, while a chef may prepare a complex menu and its presentation. This is an effort to bring graduation closer to real work.
The state part of the school-leaving examinations remains, but the school-leaving examination provides an alternative that schools can choose voluntarily. It is expected that this type of examination will be of particular interest to schools focusing on practical training, such as vocational schools or colleges of higher education.
In the future, the School Leaving Certificate could also offer more flexibility – for example, in conjunction with skills certificates or a student portfolio.
Funding for the running of schools will also be affected by a major change. From January 2026, the salaries of non-teaching staff – i.e. janitors, cooks, cleaners or administrative staff – will now be paid by municipalities and regions, not the state.
This is in an effort to decentralise responsibility and allow schools to be more responsive to local needs. For example, a small rural school will be able to arrange its own cleaning or janitorial schedule, without complex reallocations of funds from the central level.
On the other hand, some municipalities warn that they are not financially or staffingly prepared for this new burden. There is therefore a risk of redundancies, reduced school canteen operations or staff reductions. The transition will require good cooperation between schools and founders.
On the positive side, the amendment also enshrines the role of school psychologists and social pedagogues, whose work will be compulsorily paid for by the state from 2026. These professionals are to help prevent bullying, promote mental health and ensure a safe school environment. At a time of increasing problems with children’s mental health, this is a step in the right direction.
Our team of experienced attorneys will help you solve any legal issue. Within 24 hours we’ll evaluate your situation and suggest a step-by-step solution, including all costs. The price for this proposal is only CZK 690, and this is refunded to you when you order service from us.
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