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 precisely defines not only the educational requirements, but also the daily rights and duties of teachers. This article serves as a clear legal compass for teachers, school administrators and parents.
A pedagogical worker is anyone who carries out direct pedagogical, educational, special-pedagogical or psychological-pedagogical activities. According to the Teaching Staff Act, such staff must meet the conditions of professional qualifications, integrity, medical fitness and knowledge of the Czech language. Even a person without a pedagogical faculty can become a teacher if he or she completes his or her qualifications, for example, by completing the pedagogical minimum.
The basic requirement is a professional qualification. This can most often be obtained in the form of a university degree or higher vocational training. Kindergarten teachers can only have a secondary education degree. It is important that the qualification is relevant to the nature of the subject taught. If this is not the case, the teacher must complete his/her education by means of so-called studies to broaden his/her professional qualifications. There is also a pedagogical minimum, which is intended, for example, for practitioners who want to teach.
Our law firm will also provide legal advice to schools, teachers and parents. We can help you resolve grievances, employment disputes, pupil liability, or properly set school rules in accordance with current legislation. Get advice from professionals who also know the school system and the law.
The pedagogical minimum can currently be completed either in person, remotely or online. This is often used by practitioners or a person who has another non-teaching college degree but wants to work as a teacher. The study includes pedagogy, psychology and didactics. Courses are offered by both universities and institutes accredited by the Ministry of Education. Special programmes are also available for future kindergarten teachers.
According to the Teaching Personnel Act, every teacher is obliged to undertake continuing education. This is the so-called continuing education for teaching staff. This includes, for example, courses to improve qualifications, extension of qualifications or studies for managers. Schools are obliged to allow part of these studies during working hours. The employer pays for training activities if they are part of a professional development plan. The most common forms are seminars, webinars, courses or long-term studies.
Teachers have a number of obligations as well as legal rights under the law. Among the most important duties are ensuring the safety of pupils, observing school rules, keeping pedagogical documentation and carrying out the tasks imposed by the school principal. Teachers must also maintain confidentiality about the facts they learn in connection with the exercise of their profession and act in accordance with the principles of equality and non-discrimination.
On the other hand, a teacher has the right to a safe working environment, methodological support, access to educational materials, professional development and protection from unjustified interference by parents or school management.
But then there are rights that do not arise from the law but are defined in the school rules. In the case of disciplinary problems, for example, the class teacher has the power to issue a so-called class teacher warning.
A teacher’s working time is not just about the number of hours in the classroom. The legal framework defines so-called direct and indirect teaching activities. Direct teaching activity is time spent teaching, supervising or running clubs. Its scope is set by decree and varies according to the type of school: for example, a primary school teacher has 22 hours per week, while a secondary school teacher has 21 hours.
In addition, the teacher carries out indirect activities such as preparing for lessons, correcting tests, meetings, classroom management, consultations with parents and methodological work. These activities are not counted as direct activities, but they significantly affect the overall workload.
A full-time job does not therefore mean 40 hours of teaching per week, but consists of a combination of activities, the extent of which can be individually adjusted. The employer is also obliged to take into account the specificities of teachers with disabilities or who carry out other activities (e.g. educational counsellors).
The latest amendment to the Education Act has brought several significant changes. The most obvious is the strengthening of the autonomy of schools in drawing up school rules and the extension of the competences of head teachers. For example, they can now restrict or completely ban the use of mobile phones during school hours. According to the legislators, this should lead to the promotion of discipline and greater concentration during lessons.
The changes also affect pupils’ safety – the amendment defines exactly who can supervise work with hazardous chemicals during lessons (e.g. in laboratories) and the professional profile of such a person. This significantly clarifies the school’s responsibility for protecting the health of pupils.
Another major change is the possibility of expelling a pupil of foreign nationality from school after an unexcused absence exceeding 60 days without proper justification. This strengthens the position of the school and prevents “invisible” pupils without attendance.
Only a person who meets the conditions set out in the law – full legal capacity, professional qualifications (e.g. pedagogical minimum), integrity, medical fitness and knowledge of the Czech language – can become a pedagogical worker. The teaching profession is governed by strict rules not only in terms of education but also in terms of daily duties – from supervising pupils to keeping records. Hours of work are determined by a combination of direct and indirect activities, with direct teaching for full-time teachers being approximately 21-22 hours per week. Teachers are required to undertake continuing education. Special rules apply for working with children with special educational needs. In case of conflicts, parents have the possibility to file complaints, but teachers can also defend themselves legally. The new laws extend the powers of schools but also increase the responsibilities of teachers.
The pedagogical minimum is a supplementary education for people who want to teach but do not have a pedagogical education. It is typically taken by practitioners (e.g. engineers) who want to teach in secondary schools.
Today, the teaching minimum can also be studied remotely or completely online, thanks to accredited colleges or institutes. However, it is important to check that the programme is officially accredited by the Ministry of Education, otherwise it may not be recognised as a qualification.
A full-time teacher’s full-time job involves what is known as direct teaching – typically 21 to 22 hours per week. However, this is in addition to indirect activities such as preparing for lessons, correcting tests or meeting with parents, which often go beyond normal working hours.
Yes. According to the law, teachers are obliged to undergo continuing education as part of the so-called continuing education for teaching staff. This can be courses, seminars or studies to broaden their qualifications. The school is obliged to support this training.
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