9.
SYSTEM OF EDUCATION IN THE UK AND THE CR
British system of education
In England and Wales compulsory school begins at the age of five, but before that age
children can go to a nursery school, also called play school. School is compulsory till children
are 16 years old. Compulsory education is free of charge.
In most schools, students wear school uniforms.
The academic year usually begins in September and runs to early July. It has 3 terms, divided
by the Christmas and Easter holidays.
So, for the youngest kids at the ages 3 to 5, there are nursery schools, playgroups or
kindergartens. For older children there are two systems of state schools. System A includes
Primary School from 5 to 11 years and Secondary School from 11 to 16 or 18 years. Primary
school is usually divided into two sections: Infant school is for children at the ages 5-7, and
Junior school is for children at the ages 7-11. System B includes First School from 5 to 8
years, Middle School from 8 to 13 years and Secondary School from 13 to 16-18 years.
In Primary School and First School children learn how to read and write and the basics of
arithmetic. In the higher classes of Primary School or in Middle School children learn
geography, history, religion and in some schools also a foreign language.
Outside the normal time-table there are many activities in which students may participate
like sports, drama, table tennis and so on.
Secondary Schools can be divided into Grammar, Secondary Modern and Comprehensive,
according to the system adopted by the local education authority. The majority of children
attend comprehensives which incorporate all schoolchildren into one scheme. The children
are, therefore, of mixed abilities and may come from a wide variety of social backgrounds.
Some critics of this system argue that bright academic children suffer and that average
standard is low.
When students are 16 years old, they may take an exam in various subjects in order to have
a qualification. These qualifications can be either G.C.S.E. which means General Certificate of
Secondary Education, or “O level” which mean Ordinary level. Students can choose any
number of subjects in their curriculum. Some may take six or seven G.C.S.E.s, some only two.
After sitting their “O levels” or G.C.S.E.s students can either leave school and start working or
continue their studies in the same school as before. If they continue, when they are
eighteen, they have to take more examinations, called “A levels” (Academic levels), normally
two or three, which are necessary for getting into university or college.
Some parents, choose independent schools for their children. These are very expensive but
considered to provide a better education and good job opportunities. The stages of
education in independent schools are called in a different way. Children from 5 to 8 years
attend a pre-preparatory school. Between the ages of 8 and 13 they go to a preparatory
school. From 13 to 18 they attend a public school, but only if they pass an examination called
Common Entrance. The oldest and most exclusive Public Schools are Eton College, Harrow
and Rugby.
In UK is a Higher Education as well. There are around 50 universities. There are also around
350 colleges and institutes of higher education. The oldest universities in England are Oxford
and Cambridge.
Czech system of education
For the youngest kids at the age 2,5 to 6/7 we have a preschool education which is not
compulsory, except for the last year before basic education. We can have public or private
schools for small children which are divided into nursery schools, kindergartens and kids’
clubs.
There are state schools for compulsory education in the Czech Republic which is free of
charge. But we can find also some private schools where students must pay for it.
Education in the Czech Republic is compulsory for all children from the age of 6 to 15. The
school year in this Primary schools starts in September and ends in June. It is divided into
two terms. Each term students get their school report. Classes usually begin at 8 a.m. and
there are 4 or 6 lessons in a row, and then is a lunch break. Afternoon classes usually end at
4. p.m. Students are evaluated by marks 1-5 or by verbal evaluation. Verbal evaluation is
especially on some of private schools.
Students do not wear school uniforms there.
After Primary school children can go to a Secondary school and these schools take four
years. We have Secondary grammar or special schools which are finished with a school-
leaving exam. The examination is taken in 4 subjects and it is mostly oral, but there are also
written parts. After students pass their school-leaving exam, they receive the School-Leaving
Certificate and they can go study at universities. Universities and colleges provide tertiary
education that takes 4 to 6 years. Students can study variety of subjects there like economy,
law, architecture, foreign languages, art and others. Universities are finished with an
examination and after that, students can use degree of bachelor or master degree.
The oldest university in the Czech Republic is Charles University in Prague founded by
Charles IV. in 1348.
