The Czech Ministry of the Interior has emphasized that Ukrainian children must attend local schools, even if they continue their education remotely in Ukraine. Find out what consequences parents may face for violating this rule and how to ensure that their child has a place at school or kindergarten

Legal advice on education and employment for Ukrainians abroad

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As the new school year approaches, the Czech Ministry of the Interior has drawn the attention of Ukrainian refugees to important rules regarding compulsory education for children with temporary protection in the Czech Republic. It is important to know that even if a child continues to study remotely at a Ukrainian school, he or she must attend a Czech school. If this rule is violated, parents may face serious consequences, including fines.

Read more about how children can resume studying at a Ukrainian school after returning from abroad here.

Compulsory education in the Czech Republic for Ukrainian children: what you need to know

In the Czech Republic, every child must complete one year of preschool education and nine years of general secondary education. This rule applies to all children, including those who have been granted temporary protection in the country.

If the child's parents or legal guardians fail to fulfill this obligation, they may be fined or, in extreme cases, even imprisoned for up to two years. At the same time, social services may take control of the child.

The Ministry emphasizes that distance or online learning in a Ukrainian school does not replace compulsory schooling in the Czech Republic. This means that even if a child participates in distance learning in Ukraine, he or she must be enrolled and attend a Czech school.

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How do I enroll my child in a school or kindergarten in the Czech Republic?

To enroll your child in a kindergarten, you need to find a suitable institution, preferably at your place of residence. You can do this by contacting the education department of your municipality or city district. To apply, you must provide:

1. A completed application form (available at the kindergarten or on its website).

2. The child's birth certificate.

3. A doctor's certificate of mandatory vaccination.

4. Identity card of the legal representative.

You can submit an application to several kindergartens at the same time to increase your chances of enrollment.

For children aged 6-15 who have reached the age of compulsory school attendance, the state assigns a specific school for study. To do this, you need to contact the main or district office, which will determine the institution where the child should study. If there are no places in the assigned school, the issue is resolved at the level of the department, and they will find a free place in another institution.

Parents can also look for a school for their child on their own. It is important to pay attention to the deadlines and submit all the necessary documents on time to ensure that your child gets a place in an educational institution.

What to do if I can't find a place at a school or kindergarten?

If you are unable to find a place for your child at a school or kindergarten, you must obtain a written confirmation of refusal. This is a document that you may need in case of further proceedings or attempts to enroll your child in another educational institution.

The Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic recommends that you do not postpone the process of enrolling your child in an educational institution. If you still have not found a place, you should contact the nearest kindergartens or schools and expand your search to neighboring districts. If you are unable to find a place on your own, contact the education department of your municipality (odboru školství) for help.

We remind you! Poland has introduced a number of changes for refugees from Ukraine, some of which relate to children and school education. In the previous article, we told you everything you need to know about fines for not attending Polish schools, financial assistance for children and the rules of studying in Ukrainian educational institutions for refugees staying in Poland.

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