Czechia's education responses to the influx of Ukrainian refugees

Act No. 65/2022 outlines the procedure by which the Ministry of the Interior or the Police of the Czech Republic will issue temporary protection to Ukrainian citizens who arrived in Czechia on or after 24 February 2022, in line with the EU Temporary Protection Directive and Act No. 221/2003. The Act states that individuals granted temporary protection will receive a visa sticker in their travel document with validity until March 31, 2024.  

Access to schools 

According to Act No. 221/2003, individuals granted temporary protection may access primary, secondary, higher, and university education on the same basis as Czech nationals. This right is also guaranteed by Act No. 561/2004 (the Education Act), which states that compulsory school attendance applies to non-nationals granted international protection or temporary residence based on a long-term visa. Compulsory education begins at the age of 6 and lasts 9 years. 

On March 17, 2022, Act No. 67/2022 on Measures in the Field of Education was adopted under the Lex Ukraine package. It assigns the responsibility for admission outside the regular enrolment period to local school directors, and states that directors must inform regional authorities if capacity is reached so that the learner may be assigned to another institution. If capacity is reached at all regional schools, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MŠMT) will assign the learner to another region, taking into account the place of residence of the child. The Act also states that children are required to start compulsory school attendance within three months of arrival. For admission to secondary education, students may submit an affidavit in the absence of documentation proving the completion of prior studies.  

Safe learning environment 

According to the Education Act, schools are responsible for ensuring conditions for the safety and health of students. School directors and head teachers are responsible for issuing school rules for protection against discrimination, hostility, and violence. Decree No. 48/2005 mandates the presence of at least one designated employee entrusted with safety and health protection in all schools.  

To accommodate an influx of students into existing Czech classrooms, Act No. 67/2022 states that the maximum number of students in a school may be increased without obtaining the approval of the public health authority, and that schools providing education to Ukrainian refugee students are not bound by hygiene requirements specified in Section 7 of the Act No. 471 on the Protection of Public Health (2005). 

Quality learning conditions 

Act No. 67/2022 states that school directors may adapt the educational content or curriculum to best fit the needs of students, including through the provision of language training. All newly arrived foreign pupils are entitled to language preparation classes, guaranteed by Decree No. 48/2005. The Curriculum of Czech as a Second Language for Basic Education (2021) includes recommended resources and teaching materials for educators aimed at integrating foreign students into the classroom.  

A methodological commentary published by the Czech government offers a detailed interpretation of Act No. 67/2022 and provides guidance for its implementation. Due to differences between the Czech and Ukrainian assessment systems, teachers are encouraged to adapt their assessments to gradually acclimate students to the new grading system—for example, by providing verbal assessments to students before moving onto written grades. 

Act No. 175/2022 amending Act No. 67/2022 contains guidance aiming to promote the integration of Ukrainian students in classrooms. It states that non-national students should be placed in classes not composed exclusively of other non-nationals except where no other arrangement is possible and that, if students are assigned to a class composed exclusively of other non-nationals, the school director should assign them to other classes as soon as feasible.  

The MŠMT has also taken steps to facilitate the employment of Ukrainian citizens in Czech schools. According to ministerial guidance, Ukrainian citizens are exempt from fees associated with recognition of qualifications and may replace missing documentation with an affidavit per Section 108 of the Education Act. The document reaffirms that school directors may appoint pedagogical employees without proficiency in the Czech language for instruction in classes composed only of Ukrainian citizens, as provided for in Act No. 67, and that knowledge of the Czech language is not a prerequisite for employment in non-pedagogical roles. 

Access to transitions 

Section 5a of Act No. 67/2022 states that the MŠMT may determine alternative conditions for admission to or termination of levels if standard procedures would cause significant difficulties for students. As such, special measures have been introduced for Ukrainian students taking the unified entrance exam (Jednotná přijímací zkouška, JPZ) and school entrance exams for admission to secondary schools. The JPZ is a requirement for secondary schools with matriculation exams, while additional school entrance exams may be organized by the admitting institution.   

In October 2022, the MŠMT issued a guidance document on the secondary admissions procedure for Ukrainian students in the 2023/2024 academic year. The guidelines state that Czech language exams will be waived for Ukrainian students, and knowledge of the Czech language will be verified by interview instead. The document also grants students the right to take the written Mathematics test of the JPZ in Ukrainian. While schools may administer the school entrance exam in Ukrainian, if it is administered in Czech, Ukrainian students benefit from increased time to take the exam (25%) and the right to use a translation dictionary.  

Certification of learning 

In accordance with Section 5a of Act No. 67/2022, in November 2022, the MŠMT issued a guidance document for Ukrainian students taking the matriculation (Maturita) exam in the spring of 2023 or autumn of 2024. A passing score on the exam is required to complete secondary education and to enrol in higher education. The document states that students who are unable to present educational documents when applying for the examination may submit an affidavit. It grants Ukrainian students the right to use a Czech spelling guide while taking the Czech language and literature exam; a reduced set of literary requirements for the Czech exam; access to a translation dictionary, spelling guide, and extended time (30 minutes) to prepare during oral exams; extended time (by 25%) for written exams; and the use of a translation dictionary while taking practical and written exams.  

Access to higher education 

According to Act No. 221/2003, individuals granted temporary protection may access higher education on the same basis as Czech nationals. Section 8 of Act No. 67/2022 outlines specific provisions for the admission of Ukrainian students to higher education institutions. It states that universities may determine specific conditions for admission and exemption from fees and may allocate specific funds for this purpose. It further states that proof of previous education may be replaced by an affidavit if the student is unable to produce documentation.  

For recognition of prior learning for higher education or employment, Act No. 67/2022 exempts Ukrainian students from paying fees for the validation of documents proving the attainment of secondary or higher professional education. 

Act No. 65/2022 states that individuals granted temporary protection may benefit from free accommodation for a maximum of 150 days. Following this period, individuals must report all changes in place of residence to the Ministry of the Interior, in accordance with provisions made in Act No. 326/1999 on the residence of foreigners. Individuals granted temporary protection are considered equivalent to persons holding a permanent residence permit for the purpose of employment, as affirmed by both Act No. 66/2022 and Act No. 326/1999. After receiving temporary protection, Ukrainians have full access to the labour market.

Options for most Ukrainians to obtain long-term residence in Czechia are currently limited. Act No. 65/2022 states that applications or proceedings for international protection are suspended for the duration of temporary protection. As in other EU countries, it remains to be determined how Czechia will regularize the situation of Ukrainian refugees should their displacement continue past the expiration of the TPD.