21. THE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC, THE U.S.A., GREAT BRITAIN
Education in Great Britain
State education in Britain
Education in Britain is different from education in the Czech Republic. Education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 and 16. Over 90 per cent of all schoolchildren attend state schools.
When the children are older then three years, parents can choose to send their children to a nursery school. Children start primary schools at 5 and continue until they are 11. At the age of 11 pupils go from primary schools to secondary schools called comprehensives.Pupils spend 5 years in secondary education.
At 16 they take a national exam called GCSE ( General Certificate of Secondary Education ) and they can leave school if they wish. This is the end of compulsory education. Some 16year - olds continue their studies in the sixth form college. At 18 students can decide to continue with their studies at university. Colleges include teacher - training collages, technical collages and general collages.
Student at universities are called undergraduates. They study for a degree which takes on average three years of full - time study. When you complete your first degree, you are a graduate. Most students graduate at 21 or 22. When they want continue, you do then postgraduate course.
Private education in Britain
Seven per cent of British school children go to private schools called independent schools. There the pupils live during the term and only go home to their parents during the holidays.
The most famous schools are called public schools and they have a long history and tradition. Two of the most famous ones are Eton and Harrow. The pupils at most secondary schools in Britain, have to wear a school uniform.
There are normally three school terms in Britain - Autumn, Spring and Summer terms. The school usually have five days holiday halfway through each term.
Education in the USA
Education in the USA is more different from education in Britain. Most American children go to state schools, which are free. In the USA these are called public schools. There are also some private schools. Education is compulsory from the age of 6 to 16.
At the elementary schools children go whwn they are 6 and stay there for 6 years. After elementary school children must to go to high school - there are two parts - junior high school ( 12 - 13 years ) - and high school for students from age of 14 to 17 or 18. The American High school is comprehensive. Every large high school has its football team and also teams for basketball, baseball and other sports.
After high school the children can go to university or collage. Most collage and university courses last for four years.
Education in the Czech Republic
School attendance in the Czech Republic is compulsory from 6 to 15. School are mainly state schools but there are also some private and church schools. Education at state schools is free of charge. Children in our school system don't wear uniforms.
The school year starts on 1st September and ends on 30th June of the following year. A school day is different at different types of schools.
Classes begin at around 8 o'clock and there are from 4 to 6 lessons in a row, followed by a lunch break, and then afternoon classes.
Pupils and students are evaluated by marks from 1 to 5, 1 is the best and 5 is the worst.
Education in our country include these stages : pre - school, primary, secondary and tertiary school.
From the age of 3 till the age of 6 children attend kindergarten. At 6 children start to go to primary school and they stay there until 15. At the age of 15 the pupils transfer from primary to secondary school and they can choose among a kind of secondary schools.
Secondary education usually last for 4 years and at grammar and specialized schools it's finished with a school - leaving examination. This exam is taken in 4 subjects at grammar schools and is held in May. After the graduates have passed their school - leaving exam they recieve the School - leaving certificate.
Universities and collages provide tertiary education which lasts from 4 to 6 years. An entrance exam is in the subject in which the university specializes. Our oldest university is Charles University in Prague, founded by Charles IV. in 1348 as the first Central and East European university.
The university or collages students can enrol three - year courses for a Bachelors degree or four and five - year courses for a Masters degree. Medicine usually takes 6 years. Doctoral degrees are awarded after another few years of study, which may be also individual.