Information for migrants: COVID-19 and education
On 10 March 2020, the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic announced extraordinary measures concerning kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools and universities in connection with the spread of COVID-19.
The document containing information:
- Extraordinary measures in connection with the spread of COVID-19
- Information on the school year schedule
- Distance education of students-migrants
Do you need help with your situation? Please call or e-mail our social counselor:
- Phone: +420 605 253 994
- E-mail: poradna@migrace.com
Do you need help with preparation to school? Contact us at konradova@migrace.com, we can secure you with a volunteer to help you prepare. More information you can find here.
Closure of primary schools, secondary schools and higher professional schools
Primary schools, secondary schools and higher professional schools have been closed to students since 13 March 2020. University lectures and exams are also banned if multiple people are involved. Attending art schools and language courses is also banned.
Attending extra-curricular and leisure-time education in schools (clubs, optional activities) in person is also banned for children, pupils and students.
The Ministry of Education requires schools to use e-learning. This is not a holiday; the organisation of the school year has not changed.
Operation of kindergartens
Kindergartens are not generally closed, but it is recommended to interrupt or reduce the operation. If the nursery is closed, the child’s parent is entitled to dependency care benefit (more below).
- Children should wear masks whenever possible during all activities. Parents are obliged to equip their child with a sufficient number of masks, scarves, neck warmers, etc.
- Enrolment in kindergartens will be similar to enrolment in the first year of primary schools (see information below). Enrolment in kindergartens will take place in mid-May and without the presence of children at schools.
Dependency care benefit
Parents can receive dependency care benefit if they remain at home with a child under the age of 13 as a result of this decision. Dependency care benefit will be provided for the entire duration of emergency measures.
More information about the dependency care benefit can be found on the website of the Czech Social Security Administration (available in Czech) or in the online material of SIMI (Association for Integration and Migration), which is available in Czech, English and Russian.
Enrolment of children in the first grade of primary schools for 2020/2021
Enrolments for compulsory education will take place from 1 April 2020 to 30 April 2020, without the presence of children at schools. The school headmaster sets the date of enrolment.
- Due to the above-mentioned extraordinary measures, the application will, if possible, be filed without the presence of the child's legal guardian at school. It is recommended to use a data box, e-mail with electronic signature, post, or personal delivery at school according to the specific situation.
- More information can be found on the website of the Ministry of Education
- On the SIMI website, enrolment information is available in English, Russian, Mongolian and Vietnamese.
Follow the updates on the website inkluzivní škola (inclusive school) – enrolment information here.
Entrance exams for secondary schools
Uniform entrance exams for secondary schools will take place no earlier than 14 days after the pupils return to schools.
- More information you can find here.
Maturita exams and final exams
Maturita exams will take place no earlier than 21 days after the reopening of secondary schools.
- More information you can find here.
- You can also find more information on the website of organisation Meta and Inkluzivní škola.
Need to know how to prepare for maturita exams from home? Check out the tips for online learning here. Do you need help with preparation? Contact us at konradova@migrace.com, we can secure you with a volunteer to help you prepare.
Distance teaching of pupils-migrants
School education is now online. You can also use the educational programmes broadcast by Czech Television (ČT) or the tips below.
Tips for parents to support distance learning
The Czech Society for Inclusive Education (CSIE) has published a comprehensive ‘Desatero pro rodiče dětí (nejen) se speciálními vzdělávacími potřebami’ (Ten Commandments for parents of children (not only) with special educational needs), where you can find 10 tips for distance learning. Desatero pro rodiče can be downloaded here (available in Czech).
Help with teaching pupils-migrants
Distance learning can be very difficult for migrant pupils and their parents. If you need help, let us know and we can help you to secure the assistance of a volunteer or help you communicate with your school or teacher.
If you are interested in online tutoring with volunteers, report to SIMI at: konradova@migrace.com. We will then connect you with volunteers to help you with online learning.
Help with tasks from school is offered, for example, by New School at: prvni.pomoc@novaskolaops.cz or by Czech Red Cross Prague at: school@cckpraha1.cz.