Since January 2003, the programme has been announced by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, namely in two cycles: January–June and September–December. The programme is currently administered by Department 60 – Equal Opportunities in Education Department. Up to now, 10 million CZK have been appropriated for each year from the financial means of the ministry.
The financial means for this programme are intended for the support of pupils who are citizens of the Czech Republic and for whose families the expenses connected with secondary or higher vocational education cause significant problems. They are provided via legal entities, or organisational units of the state, performing the activity of a school (hereinafter only as ‘legal entity’).
Financial means offered in the programme can be applied for by students of a school only via legal entities listed in the Directory of Schools which provide:
- secondary education
- secondary education with a vocational certificate
- secondary education completed with a school-leaving examination
- higher vocational education and higher vocational education at a conservatory.
Since 2008, it has been possible to include only pupils in the day form of education with regular school attendance,
or demonstrably excused absence, and without disciplinary problems (pursuant to Section 10, Subsection 3 of Decree
No. 13/2005 Coll., On Secondary Education and Education at a Conservatory). The subsidy may be applied for by a
student below 26 years of age.
The means are intended to cover partially or completely the costs of the students for the following items:
Education
The item is intended as a defrayal of the costs of education at private secondary schools and conservatories and at
colleges of higher education, or for the payment of courses organised by a school to complement the
instruction.
School Meals
The contribution can be used to cover school meals provided by a legal entity under Section 122, Subsection 3 of Act
No. 561/2004 Coll., On Preschool, Elementary, Secondary, Higher Vocational and Other Education (Education Act).
Accommodation
The contribution is used to cover accommodation provided by a legal entity in an educational facility, should it be
necessary for the pupil to live there. It is not possible to cover any type of accommodation that is not provided
directly by a legal entity in accordance with Section 122, Subsection 3 of the Education Act.
Travel Expenses
This item is intended exclusively to cover the costs of travel in public transport when a pupil commutes outside the
municipality in which he/she has permanent residence, in connection with the implementation of an education
programme. The contribution does not appertain to the covering of costs for municipal public transport or transport
by private automobile.
School Needs
The contribution is intended to cover exercise books, required school supplies and study materials, in exceptional
cases the contribution can also be used to cover other supplies (a typewriter, sewing machine, personal computer
etc.) if the legal entity confirms their necessity for education or for preparation at home. Should the contribution
be provided to cover the supplies in the round brackets, this contribution is provided to the student only once in
the entire period of education.
Under this item, it is not possible to apply for the defrayment of costs for textbooks, namely pursuant to Section
27, Subsection 5 of the Education Act, which imposes on secondary-school principals and conservatories the obligation
to establish a stock of textbooks and study materials, namely at least for 10 % of the secondary-school students.
These textbooks and study materials should be lent to socially disadvantaged pupils and students with social needs at
no charge.
Prophylactic Aids
The contribution can be used to cover prophylactic aids required by the school – personal prophylactic products,
washing, cleaning and disinfecting products, work clothes absolutely necessary for education in the relevant
educational field (e.g. overalls, cook’s clothing etc.).
At the end of the specified period, the school shall present an accounting and return the unused financial means to the ministry should there be any.
Programme for the Support of the Integration of the Roma Community
In accordance with Czech Government Directive No. 98/2002 Coll., defining the conditions and ways of providing state-budget subsidies for activities of members of national minorities and in support of the integration of Roma-community members, as subsequently amended, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports has announced ‘Programme for the Support of the Integration of the Members of the Roma Community’. Every year, 15 million CZK are appropriated by the ministry for this programme.
Such legal entities (with the exception of foundations and endowments) can apply to be included in the programme that demonstrably perform an activity benefiting the members of the Roma community.
Thematic Areas:
1. Preschool Preparation of Roma Children
The objective of announcing this thematic area is to create the prerequisites for fulfilling the Conception of Timely
Care for Children from Socio-Culturally Disadvantaged Backgrounds and to raise the chances of integrating children
from Roma communities into the main educational stream.
2. Education of Pupils from Roma Communities at Elementary and Secondary Schools
The objective of announcing this thematic area is to contribute to the integration of Roma pupils into the main
educational stream.
3. Methodological Support of Pedagogical Staff
- to support the further education of the pedagogical staff working with Roma children in preschool and elementary education in utilising effective methods for the education of Roma children;
- to support further education of pedagogical staff in the area of creating an inclusive environment at school and in class;
- to support the education of teacher assistants for socially disadvantaged children, pupils and students (defined by Act. No. 563/2004 Coll., on Pedagogical Staff and on Amendments to Some Acts) in compliance with Decree No. 317/2005 Coll., On Further Education of Pedagogical Staff, Accreditation Commissions and the Career System of Pedagogical Staff.
4. Creation of Didactic Materials and Specialised Studies for the Needs of Preparing Educational Programmes, Methods and Strategies
The objective of announcing this thematic area is to support the creation of materials for working with children
in integrated groups and the preparation of specialised studies dealing with the integration of children from
Roma communities in the area of education.
5. Extracurricular and Leisure-Time Activities for Roma Children and Youth in Connection with Their
Educational Needs
The objective of announcing this thematic area is to support the creation of an offer of leisure-time activities for the given target group and the integration of children and youth from Roma communities in this area.
