2.1 PRIMARY SCHOOL (ZŠ) – Enrolment into the First Grade and Higher Grades

ZŠ

All children between the ages of 6–17 living in the Czech Republic (by the beginning of the school year) are subject to compulsory school attendance for 9 years. The pre-school year of kindergarten is also mandatory (from the age of 5). Compulsory school attendance is not only an obligation, but also the right of every child. There is no tuition fee in public schools, but you must pay tuition in private and certain church schools.

Parents do not have to prove residence in the Czech Republic (unlike at other levels of education).
A school cannot reject a pupil due to insufficient knowledge of the Czech language.
Not attending school is against the law and will be investigated by the Czech Police and child protection services.

The choice of school and school catchment areas

The choice of primary school is entirely up to the parents. They can enrol their child in any school they want. Each state school has its catchment area. You will find your local catchment school in the public notice on catchment areas of district schools, issued by your Municipality. Each school must preferentially accept children living inside its catchment area.

The only valid reason to reject a pupil is if the capacity of the school is exhausted.
If the school’s capacity is exhausted, they can ask their founding authority (usually the municipality) to increase their capacity.
If none of the chosen schools has a vacancy, it is possible to contact the relevant Department of Education, which will recommend a school with sufficient capacity.

Enrolment day

The regular date of enrolment for first grade pupils takes place between January 15 and February 15; the school principal announces the exact enrolment days. During enrolment, the parents and the child will have a brief conversation with the teacher. Part of this conversation may be tasks to test the child’s school readiness. If there are serious obstacles, especially pertaining to the child’s health, the child may be recommended deferring school entry by one year (see the information cards Deferred School Attendance and Education Counselling Facilities).

Primary school enrolment during the school year (switching schools)

If a child arrives in the Czech Republic during the school year, it is necessary to immediately enrol them in a school. If the child is older, the school director decides at what grade to place the child.

Pupils with different mother tongues are placed in grades according to their age. An exception can be made and a child may be placed in a lower grade if this is properly justified.
9 years of compulsory school attendance is not the same as 9 years of completed primary education! If a child repeats a grade or is placed in a lower grade than in their country of origin, they can end their education in grade 8 or even sooner. Parents must submit a request to the principal if they want their child to continue attending school any further.

WHAT YOU NEED FOR ENROLMENT DAY:

birth certificate
IDs of the child and a parent
admittance application
report cards from previous years (translated, if possible) – this only applies when changing school at higher grades
health insurance card
proof of address in the catchment area (only if applying to a catchment school)

★ We recommend requesting admission in writing (in person at the school or by registered mail) even if the school rejects the child at your first meeting. The school is obliged to react to such a request and provide its reasons. You can use their response as proof for other authorities.