Upper secondary education is not compulsory. It lasts for two years (gymnasium grades III-IV).

Pupils who have acquired lower secondary education start upper secondary education. Pupils learn according to individual education plans. The programme may include vocational training programme modules. Pupils can follow the upper secondary education programme in a gymnasium.  

The national primary curriculum is outlined in these national documents, which are approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Sports: 

• Description of Primary, Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary Education Curriculum 
• General Curriculum for Pre-primary, Primary, Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary Education, which describe the goals, results of primary education, assessment of pupils' achievements and progress, features of implementation. 
• Curricula for specific subjects, which describe the purpose of the subject, educational goal, and objectives.

Each school prepares the curriculum in accordance with the education programmes. The school’s curriculum describes the implementation of education contents, provides solutions on how to organise the education process, how to evaluate pupils’ achievements, etc. 

The school curriculum describes the decisions made by the school regarding the organization of the education process, taking into account the school's context, the age groups of students, and the conditions for organizing the education process. This plan should include a calendar for the organization of the educational process, a choice of foreign languages, subject modules, elective subjects, non-formal education programs, learning and educational support, and other relevant issues, such as the assessment procedure, the scope of homework assignments, the organization of education outside the school environment, etc.

The curriculum is prepared by a work group appointed by the head of the school.

The work group is led by the head of school or by a person appointed to lead it. The curriculum is approved by the head of the school by agreement of the school’s council or institution holding founder status.

The syllabus of a subject is presented for two years in general education programmes. The school itself decides how the syllabus will be distributed. The curriculum is presented for one or two years.  Compulsory and optional subjects, and modules are specified in the curriculum.

A pupil’s curriculum is individualised according to the school curriculum. Individual education plans consist of compulsory subjects and the pupil’s chosen educational content. Pupils decide which subjects or modules they will learn in the upper secondary education programme. They choose one Maturity thesis. Together with teachers and parents (guardians, caregivers) pupils prepare their individual curriculum. Pupils take into account the upper secondary education programme and their further education, training plans when preparing their individual plans. Pupils chosen subjects become compulsory for him/her to learn. If a pupil does not finish a subject he chose or does not meet set goals, it is declared that the pupil did not learn that subject.

In the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years, the minimum number of lessons for students in the secondary education program is 25 lessons per week (1,750 lessons over two years); in schools where teaching in the language of national minorities or teaching of the language of national minorities is authorised, the minimum number of lessons per week is at least 27 lessons (1,890 lessons over two years). 

Number of lessons for the implementation of the secondary education program in the form of group learning through daily and distance learning during the school year and per week.

Remarks:  

* B   –  subject program general course; 

** A – subject program advanced course;

*** in schools, which teach in a national minority language or teach a national minority language as a subject;  

**** as a freely chosen subject is continued in lower secondary education began to be studied a second foreign language or a new foreign language was newly introduced;  

***** computer science module "The basics of data exploration, programming and safe behavior" (70 lessons) is compulsory for students who choose to study computer science; 

****** the module can be chosen to study in both gymnasium grades III and IV. 1-2 weekly lessons can be allocated to study the module. The duration of the module in gymnasium grade III – 36 lessons, in grade IV – 34 lessons. The student can choose to study different modules in gymnasium grades III and IV. The module program (module programs) prepared by the school teachers is approved by the head of the school.

In pursuing general education goals, every teacher is free to select the educational methods and measures, to combine several of them and create his/her individual style of instruction. Specific education methods should reflect the actual situation: the needs and abilities of pupils, skills and characteristics of each individual teacher as well as the changing socio-cultural context. The teacher has the right to propose his/her individual programmes and to choose various ways and forms of pedagogical activities. 

The education provision standards (the Education Provision Standards approved in 2011 are currently in force, but a new Education Provision Standard was approved in 2024, which schools must comply with from September 1, 2028) approved by the Minister of Education, Science, and Sport set minimum requirements for the physical environment and digital infrastructure of schools. It is important to ensure that students gain knowledge, skills, and develop the necessary competencies using modern and science-based teaching (and learning) tools and equipment, have the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in practice, learn through exploration, performing not only theoretical but also practical tasks.

Teaching materials are divided into four types:

•    teaching materials – materials intended solely for teaching purposes, models, cards, educational games, posters, etc.; 

•    objects and/or equipment – various universal equipment that can be used not only for teaching purposes, such as hot plates, looms, universal microscopes, stands, test tubes, sports hall equipment, etc.; 

•    literature necessary for the educational process – dictionaries, magazines, etc.;

•    materials – materials intended for scientific and educational purposes that can only be used once.

The general curricula provide real possibilities to be involved in the development of the curriculum content, i.e. by tailoring it to the individual needs and abilities of the learners, aligning the curriculum content with the school’s objectives and also the teacher’s experience and available resources. Individual teaching methods are applied in working with gifted pupils and pupils with special educational needs.

Teachers use teaching methods which encourage pupils’ activity and independence, stimulate critical, creative and constructive thinking, problem-solving abilities, awareness of the situation and responsibility for their actions.