Shrnutí: As a general rule, a person may teach if they meet the requirements for professional qualifications, good character, medical fitness, legal capacity, and proficiency in the Czech language. However, under certain circumstances, the law allows a school to hire an unqualified teacher. In this article, we explain the rules in effect in 2026, the legal rights and obligations of teachers, the scope of their working hours, and the authority teachers have over their students.
Are you dealing with a dispute between a school, a teacher, a student, or a parent? Our attorneys can help you.
An educational professional is anyone who performs direct pedagogical, educational, special-educational, or psychological-pedagogical activities. According to the Act on Educational Staff, such employees must meet requirements regarding professional qualifications, good character, medical fitness, and proficiency in the Czech language. A person without a degree from a college of education may also become a teacher if they obtain the necessary qualifications, such as the minimum pedagogical certification.
The basic requirement is professional qualification. This is most commonly obtained through a university degree or higher vocational education. Kindergarten teachers may have only a high school teaching degree. It is important that the qualification corresponds to the nature of the subject being taught. If this is not the case, the teacher must supplement their education through so-called “studies to expand professional qualifications.” There is also the “pedagogical minimum,” which is intended, for example, for professionals with practical experience who wish to teach.
Our law firm provides legal advice to schools, teachers, and parents. We can help you resolve complaints, labor disputes, and issues related to liability for students, as well as ensure that your school rules are properly aligned with current legislation. Get advice from professionals who are familiar with both the education system and the law.
The minimum teacher training requirements can currently be completed in person, through distance learning, or online. This option is often taken by professionals with practical experience or by individuals who hold a degree in a non-educational field but wish to work as teachers. The program covers pedagogy, psychology, and didactics. Courses are offered by both universities and institutes accredited by the Ministry of Education. Special programs are also available for prospective preschool teachers.
According to the Act on Educational Personnel, every educator is required to engage in continuing professional development. This is known as “continuing education for educational personnel.” It includes, for example, courses to enhance qualifications, expand teaching certifications, or training for administrative staff. Schools are required to allow teachers to complete part of these studies during working hours. The employer covers the costs of educational activities if they are part of the professional development plan. The most common forms include seminars, webinars, courses, and long-term study programs.
By law, teachers have not only a number of obligations but also legal rights. Among the most important obligations are ensuring student safety, complying with school rules, maintaining educational records, and carrying out tasks assigned by the school principal. Teachers must also maintain confidentiality regarding information they learn in the course of their work and act in accordance with the principles of equality and non-discrimination.
On the other hand, teachers have the right to a safe work environment, methodological support, access to educational materials, professional development, and protection against unwarranted interference from parents or school administration.
Then there are rights that do not stem from the law but are defined by the school rules. In the case of disciplinary issues, for example, the homeroom teacher has the authority to issue a so-called “homeroom teacher’s reprimand.”
From legal practice: Disputes between the school, teachers, and parents often arise not because the law offers no solution, but because the parties confuse a teacher’s statutory authority with a rule contained solely in the school rules. When assessing a case, it is therefore necessary to compare the Education Act, its implementing regulations, and the specific wording of the school rules.
Do you have doubts about whether a teacher, parent, or school administration has exceeded their authority? Describe the situation to us. We will review the school rules, the school’s procedures, and the labor law context, and propose a solution.
A teacher’s workload is not just about the number of hours spent in the classroom. The legal framework defines so-called direct and indirect teaching activities. Direct teaching activities are the time spent teaching, supervising, or leading extracurricular clubs. Their scope is set by regulation and varies depending on the type of school: for example, a primary school teacher has 22 hours per week, while a high school teacher has 21 hours.
In addition, teachers perform indirect activities —lesson preparation, grading tests, staff meetings, homeroom duties, consultations with parents, and methodological work. These activities are not counted as direct teaching, but they significantly impact the overall workload.
A full-time position therefore does not mean 40 hours of teaching per week, but rather consists of a combination of activities, the scope of which can be adjusted on an individual basis. The employer is also required to take into account the specific needs of teachers with health limitations or those who perform additional duties (e.g., guidance counselor).
Most common mistake: The number of teaching hours is not the same as a teacher’s total working hours. A teacher’s workload also includes lesson preparation, grading assignments, staff meetings, communication with parents, and other related activities. In disputes, the decisive factors are how the employer scheduled the work and whether they properly recorded work performed beyond the agreed scope.
Is your school requiring you to work beyond the agreed-upon scope, or are you in a dispute over overtime hours? An attorney will review your employment contract, the scheduling of your work hours, and your entitlement to the relevant pay components.
The latest amendment to the Education Act has brought several significant changes. The most notable is the increased autonomy of schools in establishing school rules and the expansion of principals’ authority. For example, they can now restrict or completely ban the use of cell phones during class. According to lawmakers, this should promote discipline and greater concentration during lessons.
The changes also affect student safety —the amendment precisely defines who may supervise work with hazardous chemicals during class (e.g., in laboratories) and what professional qualifications such a person must have. This has significantly clarified the school’s responsibility for protecting students’ health.
Another key change is the possibility of expelling a student who is a foreign national from school following unexcused absences exceeding 60 days without a valid reason. This strengthens the school’s position and prevents “invisible” students from skipping school.
The Act on Educational Personnel primarily sets forth the requirements for practicing the teaching profession, rules regarding professional qualifications, and the obligation to pursue continuing education. The required education varies depending on the type of school and the specific position; in some cases, qualifications can be supplemented by studying pedagogy, and the law also allows for limited exceptions. Teachers’ rights and obligations are further governed by the Education Act, the Labor Code, implementing regulations, and school rules. A teacher’s full-time workload includes not only teaching itself but also lesson preparation, grading assignments, staff meetings, communication with parents, and other related activities. In the event of a dispute, it is always necessary to assess the specific job position, the type of school, and the wording of the regulations in effect at the time the situation arose.
The Minimum Teaching Qualification is a supplementary education program designed for people who want to teach but do not have a teaching degree. It is typically taken by professionals from other fields (such as engineers) who wish to teach at high schools.
Today, it is possible to earn a teaching certificate through distance learning or entirely online, thanks to accredited universities and institutes. However, it is important to verify that the program has official accreditation from the Ministry of Education; otherwise, it may not be recognized as a qualifying program.
A full-time teacher’s job includes what is known as “direct teaching duties”—typically 21 to 22 hours per week. In addition, however, there are indirect duties such as lesson preparation, grading tests, and meetings with parents, which often extend beyond regular working hours.
Yes. By law, teachers are required to engage in ongoing professional development as part of what is known as “continuing education for teaching staff.” This may include courses, seminars, or studies aimed at expanding their teaching certification. The school is required to support this professional development.
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Ondřej is the attorney who came up with the idea of providing legal services online. He's been earning his living through legal services for more than 15 years. He especially likes to help clients who may have given up hope in solving their legal issues at work, for example with real estate transfers or copyright licenses.
Ondřej is the attorney who came up with the idea of providing legal services online. He's been earning his living through legal services for more than 15 years. He especially likes to help clients who may have given up hope in solving their legal issues at work, for example with real estate transfers or copyright licenses.
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