Education
The Czech Republic
All of us know that child from one to three years of age can attend a day nursery and from three
years of age, kindergarten. The tutor also teaches his wards, the general principles of the alphabet and of mathematics.
After
enrolling in the nine-year elementary school, six-years-olds begin their compulsory school attendance. The school year begins on
September 1st and finishes on June 30th. Children gradually learn to read, write and count; later they get acquainted with the
fundamentals of history, geography, the natural sciences and the fine arts. At the end of each school year pupils get reports with their
academic record in different subjects. This is followed by a long-awaited two months of holidays, which they look forward to very much. Naturally,
these are not the only vacations they have. They also have Christmas, Easter and spring holidays, as well as few free days on state holidays. In the
final year of the elementary school many people face a problem. During this time everybody needs to choose his future occupation. The choice depends
not only on our interests but also on our performance and success at school.
We can choose from various options: to
study at different secondary schools (industrial, medical, economic) or an apprentice-training center, or some art schools. One of the
alternative secondary schools is Grammar School, which prepares its students for university studies. At the present time there are also private and
religious schools. In contrast with the past, more emphasis is placed on foreign language studies (England, German, French, Spanish and
Italian) as well as computers and economics.
Secondary school studies last for four years. At the end of the fourth year students must
pass a graduation examination, usually consisting of oral and written parts. Knowledge of four subjects – five at some specialized schools
– is verified here. The Czech language exam is compulsory, while other subjects are determined either by the institute itself or left to the choice
of the students. From each subject a student select one question, which should be answered and discussed for fifteen minutes. The graduation
examination committee rules as to how we performed. If we do not manage to pass the examination on our first attempt, we are offered a second
chance in September.
If we want to study at college or university, we must successfully pass the entrance examination and
interviews. The choices are really quite wide-ranging. We can decide whether we will study at a school with a technical, humanitarian or economic
orientation, one of the medical faculties, or at the conservatory for those of us who are more talented. Universities ant Technical Universities have
several levels. The lowest, usually lasting three years, is the bachelor’s degree. We achieve the title of bachelor. We can also opt for
study at a teacher’s college, upon the completion of which we obtain the title of master. After completing studies at an economics
or technical college we obtain the title of engineer. The completion of studies is marked by a ceremony called graduation, where we get a
diploma certifying the successful completion of our studies. One of our most renowned universities is Charles University, founded in 1348 by Charles
IV. This school was the first university in Central Europe.
America
The American school system is quite free.
When students enter high school, at the age of 14 or15, they can choose their own courses with the help of a councilor. Unlike in the Czech Republic,
U.S. students are not always in the same class with the same group of students. There are no oral exams in the American school system. Most exams are
“multiple choice” – the student chooses from one of four or five possible answers. But students must also do research. If the student plans to
go to university, he or she must write the SAT exam, which is also multiple choice.
American universities are the best in the world. A
high percentage /48%/ goes to universities, but only 24% finish. There are private universities and state universities; private universities are more
prestigious but also more expensive /up to $60.000 for 4 years/. Students pay for it with loans and part-time jobs.
Britain
In Britain, students must attend school until 16. Then they write an exam, which covers many areas, called the
O-level exam. After this exam the student has a choice. He or she can leave school and look for work. Or the student can stay in school for 2 more
years and write exams in 1 or 2 subjects, called A-levels. A student must have A-level to go to university. Only about 14 % of British students go to
university, but most finish. The most famous universities are Oxford and Cambridge.
Most people in England go to state schools, but
England is also famous for its elite boarding schools /called “public schools”/. These schools are often single sex and have many traditions. Most
of Britain’s politicians and business leaders went to public schools.
Zones.sk – Zóny pre každého študenta