Investor Presentaiton
Post-Compulsory General and Vocational Education
(Upper Secondary and Post-Secondary Level)
Upper secondary education is a highly differentiated system guaranteeing education and
vocational training for almost the entire population of young people between completion of
compulsory school attendance and taking up employment or continuing in higher education
(i.e. generally aged 15 to 19 years). The starting age of study is determined by the completion of
compulsory education, however some secondary schools (multi-year secondary general schools
and conservatoires) also provide a programme of compulsory education (lower-secondary) and
therefore even younger pupils attend them.
Upper secondary education has a long tradition in the Czech Republic
Upper secondary attainment (age 20-24):
(EU average is 79.5%; both figures from 2011)
Early leavers from education and training (age 18-24):
(EU average is 13.5%; both figures from 2011)
Source: Eurostat
Types of upper secondary education¹
Levels of education
Type of school
& their characteristics
Secondary general school
(gymnázium)
Lyceum
91.7%
4.9%
Length
(years)
Theoretical
age
4
15-19
Secondary education according to
the acquired education/qualification
Secondary education
completed with school-
leaving examination
(maturitní zkouška)
ISCED 3A
Secondary education
leading to apprentice-
ship certificate
ISCED 3C
Secondary education
ISCED 2C/3C
Upper secondary
general education
Upper secondary educa-
tion with several spe-
cialization: pedagogical,
economical, technical, etc.
Upper secondary
technical education.
Art education¹
Upper secondary voca-
tional education; very
practically oriented
Upper secondary general
and vocational education
acquired through comple-
tion of an educational pro-
gramme lasting 1-2 years
Secondary technical school
(střední odborná škola)
Conservatoire
Secondary vocational
school (střední odborné
učiliště)
2/3
15-17-18
Secondary vocational
school or practical school
1-2 15-16/17
Those graduating from upper secondary education can improve or change their qualification
in three types of post-secondary non-tertiary education (programmes)
two-year technical follow-up studies offering graduates of three-year vocational 3C programmes
studies of general and theoretical subjects in the area of study to achieve ISCED level 4A,
two types of shortened study (technical or vocational) providingthese leaving general
or technical ISCED level 3 programmes with either knowledge of another field or skills
to achieve ISCED level 4A or level 4C.
Prerequisites for acceptance in upper (resp. or post-) secondary education are the completion of a compulsory
(or secondary) education and successfully meeting the entrance requirements set by the school (including for
example an entrance examination/test. The enrolment procedure for education at a conservatoire is held in the
form of an examination to test the applicant's particular abilities.
Secondary schools are usually public, generally established by regions, with the education free of charge. But
there are also private or denominational secondary schools where fees are paid. Classes are co-educational
(except for physical education lessons).
Curriculum
According to the education reform programme, the MEYS is responsible for the development and update/innova-
tion of the so called Framework Educational Programmes for different levels and types of education on the basis
of which each school prepares its own schools education programme. The choice of teaching methods, materials
and aids depends on the teacher and ICT and teaching software are used more and more often.
Average number of foreign languages learned per pupil (2010)
Level of education
Lower secondary (ISCED 2)
Upper secondary (ISCED 3)
Number of foreign languages
1.3
1.5
Note: The average number of foreign languages learned per pupil at upper secondary general education is 2.0, in pre-vocational 1.3.
Source: Eurostat
Assessment
Upper secondary schools use both continuous assessment and final assessment of pupils in a school report. The
results of a pupil's education may be expressed by a mark, a verbal assessment, or by a combination of both.
There are no exams at the end of a year.
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1 Minor exceptions may occur..
2 Nevertheless, studies at conservatoires are usually completed by an absolutorium at conservatoires (ISCED B).
1
2
3
4
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