A School attendance in the Slovak Republic is compulsory from the age from 6 to 15. Most children attend state school, but there are also newly established private and church schools. Education at state schools up to 18 is free of charge but students at secondary school must pay for their textbooks. Private and church schools charge school fees. Children in our school system do not wear uniforms.

The school year starts on 1st September and ends on 30th June of the following year. The school year is divided into two terms (September - January, February - June). A school day is different at different types of schools. The average number of lessons at a secondary schools is around thirty a week, primary schools have fewer lessons, while specialized schools often have more.

Pupils and students are evaluated by marks from 1 to 5, 1 is the best, 5 is the worst. Each term students get their school report with marks from both compulsory and elective subjects.

Education in our country includes these stages: nursery schools, primary ( ZŠ), secondary (SŠ), tertiary (VŠ).

Nursery schools is for children aged 3 to 6. At 6 years old children start to go to primary school and they stay there until 15. At the age of 15 the pupils transfer from primary to secondary school. Some pupils, whose parents wish then to, can transfer to grammar-school (gymnázium) at the age of 11 after they have passed an entrance examination.

At the age of 15 pupils can choose among a variety of secondary school:

a) grammar schools with general and rather academic education which prepare students for university study
b) special schools which include technical colleges, specialized in building, chemistry, for exapmle business academies, agricultural schools, nursing schools..
c) vocational schools training would –be workers for practical jobs.

Secondary education usually last for 4 years and at grammar and specialized schools i tis finished with a school-leaving examination (maturita) which is required by all universities and colleges. This examination is taken in four subjects at grammar schools (Slovak, a foreign language and two optional subjects chosen from foreign languages, science subjects or humanities) and in five or more subjects at specialized schools. The examination is held in May and is mostly oral except Slovak in which an essay is written about a month before. A student choosen one of 25 to 30 topics by drawing a number and after 15 minutes preparation he speaks.After the graduates have passed their school-leaving exam they receive the School-Leaving Certificate.

Universities and colleges (univerzity a fakulty) provide tertiary education which lasts from 4 to 6 years. In our country is a lot of universities, f.ex. Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Slovak University of Agriculture,

University of Technology in Zvolen, Police Academy in Bratislava. Our oldest university is Comenius University. Ungraduates can study a variety of subject such as economics, architekture, law, journalist, mediceine, music and art.

The university or college students can enroll at three-year courses for a Bachelor´s Degree or four and five year courses for Master´s Degree. Medicine usually takes 6 years. The university study finished with state examination and every ungraduate also has to write a thesis in order to receive a diploma in certain field of study. Then can be also Doctoral Degrees.

Every student must have a holiday. In Slovakia we have autumn, Christmas, half-year, Faster and summer holiday.

B My school is a big building in white color. There are three floor. On the ground floor you will find lodge, library, school haidresser´s, boiler room, the administrative office, toilet and gymnasium. On the other floors is aula, school buffet, classroms and teacher´s cabinets, computer rooms and toilet.

Every day we have from five to seven lessons. Each one lasts 45 minute and the breaks are only 5 to 10 minutes. We get a 15 minute break after the third lesson. During the break we can buy a drink and snacks, repeat theory or describe homework.

We have school subject: maths, physics, chemistry, history, computer science, civics, economy, accounting and physical education. Subjects which need special equipment are taught in special classrooms such as chemistry, biology and music and art room. For teaching foreign languages a language labis especially aquipped with various audio-visual aids, such as map, cassette recorder and Tv with video.

My favourite subject is maths, because I like calculation.

Some students stay at school after the school hours and take part in after-school activities such as singing in the chir, drama club or games.
After the school some students go on lunch. In my school is dining room with school kitchen, where cook students with cooks. + ( z papiera trieda a hodina)

C Every student have a free time after work or study.It is time for fun and entertainment. Some young people prefer going to parties, pubs, clubs and discos others like stay at home reading books and listening to music. Some students in their free time stay at school after school hours and take part in after-school activities.

A lot of students have a hobbies. There are many types of hobbies. One of them is collecting of objects ( stamps, postcards), then there is keeping pets ( dog, cat), sports and games ( volleyball, basketball) and creative hobbies ( dancing, singing, photography).

I don´t have much free time during the week. In my free time I like watching Tv, play computer and go out with my friends.

In his free time they can go on brigade and to make ear money. Other can get money by their parents. This is pocketbook (vreckové). In my opinion it is important for students. Then they can buy clothes, books or small presents for friends .

I get pocketbook all week. I often buy clothes for me and spend money in disco pubs.